Learning Music

Children can enjoy music in many ways even when they are very young. From birth, babies seem to be comforted when parents sing to them in a soothing and rhythmical way (A). From a very young age they show an interest in objects which make pleasing sounds, for example a musical mobile (B). When they are a little older, they want to join in songs, or to clap their hands to music (C). From about 3 years onwards, they can play their favourite tapes or CDs on players specially designed for young children (D).

SINGING

From about 2 years of age, children begin to be able to imitate tunes more accurately and to sing with other children. Singing becomes more interesting for children when:
- they sing in groups the songs relate to what they know, e.g. daily activities, weather, time of year
- they do actions to accompany a song
- they are allowed to choose some of the songs words of a familiar song are adapted for a particular
purpose
- new songs are introduced
- songs are accompanied by percussion instruments
- adults play the piano or guitar to accompany the songs.

As they sing, children learn:
- new words to develop their memory for words, sounds and music, e.g. 'Old Macdonald had a farm
- about festivals, e.g. Christmas
- about past times, e.g. 'London's burning'
- about different cultures, e.g. folk songs, dances, rituals that other people sing in different languages, e.g. 'Frere Jacques'.

LEARNING ABOUT SOUNDS
Children can have difficulty in distinguishing between different sounds, for example between 'high' and low' notes and between loud' and 'soft' sounds. One way of overcoming this is to play a game in which the children respond to changes in the music by using different actions.

MUSIC AND MOVEMENT

Dancing and exercises to music help children to:
- develop movement skills (motor skills)
- listen and respond with actions
- extend their range of movements
- improve posture and balance
- learn about dances in other cultures
- use their imagination when they mime to music
- keep fit have fun

MAKING MUSIC
Young children enjoy producing sounds with percussion instruments such as the home-made ones shown here. A percussion instrument is one which is used to produce sounds when it is hit, shaken or banged, such as bells, tambourines, cymbals, triangles, maracas and drums.
Music-making is usually a social activity and the children learn to co-operate with other players. At the same time, they are developing listening skills and co-ordination of movement.

LEARNING ABOUT MUSIC
When children are ready, they can start a more formal training in music. For many children, early encouragement can lead to very satisfying hobbies and careers, for example playing the piano, violin or trumpet, singing in a choir, or being a member of a steel band or jazz group.

MUSIC FOR SPECIAL NEEDS
Children with special needs enjoy music and music-making as much as other children, and most of them can use the same instruments, including a keyboard. Those children with poor manual dexterity (poor control over their hands and fingers) may need specially adapted equipment or instruments, for example larger handles or touch boards.