Early Music Appreciation
For many infants,
music is the equivalent of auditory bright colors. When a baby hears musical
notes that they like, they may become more active, expressive, or even vocal in
their own babyish way. Obviously, you cannot expect an infant to play a symphony,
but allowing him to touch an instrument and associate that instrument with
sound is an important way to encourage his enthusiasm. The goal is not so much
to learn how to play the instrument at that age as to give the child a tangible
association between music they hear and the instruments which make it happen.
Just as children must learn to associate a face with a voice, they are also
learning to identify sounds with specific objects.
Brain Development and Music
Few people realize
the relationship
between music and mathematics, even though the two are very closely
entwined. Musical compositions rely on several types of mathematical functions,
including timing, spatial concepts, and repetitive patterns which are easily
detectable. Even a toy xylophone makes it easy for a young child to discover
that identical patterns will produce different results based on the force and
timing used to produce the sounds. A young child does not even need to be able
to count to form an understanding of how these facets interact.
Learning Musical Concepts
Teaching a child to perceive
the underlying concepts of music can begin as soon as the child is able to
manipulate an instrument, regardless of their level of motor control. Pitch,
timing, and rhythm are all concepts that can be learned, though probably not
mastered, before children have learned to talk. Discovering the sounds
associated with various instruments is a simple and entertaining game parents
can enjoy with their preschooler - no talent required.
Introducing Musical Instruments
It is not necessary
to start out with complicated instruments. Even simple bells are a great way to
explore tones and help children grasp the link between size and sound, and then
they can discover what sounds to expect from different types of instruments. A
simple instrument such as a set of drumsticks will allow children to discover a
wealth of information about patterns,
music, and their own ability to manipulate one to create the other. The process can be
very empowering.Access to musical instruments is an excellent way to both discover natural talent and to assist development of the brain and fine motor skills. Giving a preschooler access to musical instruments is equivalent to giving them a headstart on many developmental skills, and should begin as early as possible.
The Montessori Method encourages children to explore and learn at their own pace, including diving deeper into areas that interest them, such as music. Incorporating music from a young age can have a positive and lasting effect on students. Give us a call and set up a tour of the Montessori School of Flagstaff Sunnyside Campus today to see how our teachers encourage students to learn through hands-on, interactive learning.
