Posted November 9, 2009
For many years, I've been looking for the words to describe why music is such an important presence in a child's early development. There's the brain research, yes. Compelling and interesting, however it's kind of gross to talk about a child's mind in terms of neural networks and neuron firing.
There's the scientific proof, yes. Studies previously performed on Kindermusik students show positive growth in intellectual and self-control behaviors. Still, some educators and experts can't be swayed by even the most convincing studies. I think it's just the way some people are wired.
For me, though, I finally yawped out a "Eureka!" when I realized what preschool teachers have known all along…
Music is inherent to the methods used in early learning. Repetition, rhyme, exposure to patterns, and a variety of sounds are defining qualities of both music and early learning. That's likely why music and language share the same pathways in the brain.
That's why, to a child, music is the language of learning.
-by Molly McGinn. Molly is a former Kindermusik educator, employee-owner, and musical talent par excellence. Check out her three piece vintage jazz and alt-country band, Amelia's Mechanics.