Nursery World - Learning & Development: Music: Part 7

Use music and instruments from around the globe to help children understand the world, says Linda Pound

Throughout this series it has become increasingly clear that musical behaviour is a fundamental element of human activity. It is closely linked to the development of mathematical and linguistic understanding and thinking, but it is also key to our personal relationships, to our communication, and to our emotional well-being. This remains true from our earliest days, with baby songs and dances, adult-directed talk, right through adulthood and into old age. So, of course, the immense power of music can be harnessed to help young children to better understand their worlds.

PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES

One of the prime functions of music is in creating a sense of community. This occurs in the use of music within religions, clubs or societies. Every football team’s supporters have favourite songs. Schools have school songs, and in the early years we make particular use of this phenomenon by using song to gather children together. Whenever we want to form a group of young children, it is very likely that we will begin by singing.

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