If you’ve ever watched young children spontaneously break into song or dance, you’ve witnessed the joy that music and movement bring to their world. What might seem like simple fun is, in fact, a deeply enriching form of learning that engages the whole child—mind, body, and emotions. Music and movement are not just add-ons in early childhood education; they are powerful tools that nurture development in countless ways.
At Creative Children’s Center, our morning meetings and daily circle time center around music and movement as a way to start our day. Children gather to sing call and response songs, to dance to uplifting music, to move to directional, follow the leader type songs. All of these offer incredible learning opportunities for children. From developing motor skills to fostering creativity, the benefits of incorporating music and movement into early childhood education are far-reaching. Let’s explore how these two forms of expression contribute to holistic learning and why they are essential to a child’s early development.
Enhancing Cognitive Development
Music is more than just a melody or rhythm—it’s a complex combination of patterns, structures, and sequences that engage the brain in unique ways. Research has shown that exposure to music, especially in the early years, can have a profound impact on cognitive development, particularly in areas like memory, spatial reasoning, and problem-solving skills.
When children learn songs, they practice pattern recognition as they repeat verses and choruses. When they move to music, they’re learning how to sequence actions in time, which is closely linked to mathematical skills. As children find the rhythm and slap their thighs, and clap their hands in a pattern, singing along to “Where’s Casey, Where? Where?” they are learning so much more than a peer’s name. Even simply clapping along to a beat helps children develop an understanding of rhythm and timing, both of which are foundational for reading and math.
In addition, musical activities like singing songs with rhymes or counting can help develop language skills. Through music, children are exposed to new vocabulary, sentence structures, and language patterns, all of which enhance their linguistic abilities in a fun and engaging way.
Developing Motor Skills and Coordination
Movement is one of the most natural forms of expression for children. Whether they’re dancing, hopping, or simply swaying to a rhythm, they are constantly developing their gross motor skills—the large movements that involve the whole body. Activities like jumping to the beat of a song or marching in time help children build strength, balance, and coordination.
Laurie Berkner, a children’s music artist, has so many incredible songs that encourage children to both sing and move along to the music. In the “Goldfish” song, children have to imagine they are fish swimming through the sea. The fish try different things like taking a shower and kids act out each sequence from washing hair to beards. But then the fish remember, “Wait a minute, we’re fish! We don’t take a shower. Let’s go swimming…” Children are challenging their bodies as they try new moves during the dancing, swim fast or slow, building muscles and large motor coordination.
At the same time, music often involves fine motor skills as well. When children play simple instruments like tambourines, maracas, or even participate in finger plays, they practice precise hand movements and coordination. When children use their fingers to dance along to “Tommy Thumb is up, and Tommy thumb is down. Tommy Thumb is dancing all around the town.” Each section requires quick, precise finger movements. These actions help develop the muscle control necessary for tasks like writing, buttoning clothes, and using utensils.
The combination of music and movement encourages children to coordinate their actions with sound, which strengthens the connection between body and brain. This type of integrated learning is essential for overall physical development and lays the groundwork for more complex motor skills in the future.
Fostering Emotional Expression and Social Skills
Music has the unique ability to tap into our emotions, and for young children, it offers an important outlet for emotional expression. Whether it’s the joyful movement that comes with an upbeat song or the calming sway to a lullaby, music allows children to express their feelings in a way that words often cannot.
This type of emotional release is especially important in early childhood, as young children are still learning to understand and regulate their emotions. Bev Bos and Tom Hunter have lots of music that explores the connections between music and emotional intelligence. “Rock Me to Sleep” remains a comforting song to me in my adulthood. Tom Hunter sings, “Tonight I like you to rock me to sleep. I’d like you to sing me a song. I’m tired of trying to figure things out, and I’m tired of being so strong.” Music provides a safe and creative way for children to process their feelings, recognize common experiences, whether they’re feeling happy, sad, frustrated, or excited.
In addition to individual expression, music and movement activities are often collaborative, giving children the opportunity to develop key social skills. Group activities like singing together, playing instruments in a band, or participating in a circle dance require children to cooperate, share, take turns, and listen to one another. Ring around the rosie is a perfect example of this. You cannot do it along. You have to cooperate with each other, stay focused, and then the game is fun! These experiences build important skills like empathy, communication, and teamwork.
Encouraging Creativity and Imagination
Music and movement offer endless opportunities for creative expression. Whether they’re making up their own dance moves or creating new lyrics to a song, children use music as a way to explore their imaginations and think outside the box.
In a Reggio Emilia-inspired setting, music and movement align perfectly with the philosophy of child-led, explorative learning. Children are encouraged to take ownership of their creative process, whether that means inventing a dance or composing a simple tune using classroom instruments. They are invited to share their stories, songs, and dances with the class. These activities give children the freedom to express themselves in ways that feel natural and joyful.
Creative experiences like these not only foster innovation but also help children develop problem-solving skills. When a child improvises a movement or creates a rhythm on the spot, they are actively engaging in the process of trial and error, testing their ideas and refining them as they go. This type of creative thinking is invaluable for learning in all areas of life.
Building Confidence and Self-Esteem
There’s something magical about the way children light up when they sing a song or dance in front of others. Music and movement give children opportunities to experience success, build confidence, and feel proud of their accomplishments.
Every time a child learns a new song, masters a dance move, or performs for their peers, they’re building a sense of self-efficacy—the belief that they are capable of achieving goals. These small victories help children develop a positive self-image and a willingness to try new things, even when they are challenging.
“Look at me! What this!” Children often call. They cannot wait to show their skills.
Moreover, music is often a safe space for children to experiment and take risks without fear of failure. Unlike more structured academic tasks, music and movement offer flexibility and freedom, which helps children feel more comfortable expressing themselves and trying new things.
Supporting Early Literacy Skills
Music is deeply connected to early literacy. Songs, especially those with repetitive patterns, rhymes, and rhythms, help children recognize the sounds and structures of language. Singing songs with children strengthens their phonological awareness—the ability to hear and differentiate between different sounds in words—which is a critical skill for reading development.
Songs with movement, like fingerplays (e.g., “The Itsy Bitsy Spider”) or action songs (“Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes”), enhance children’s understanding of concepts like sequencing and directionality, which are fundamental to reading and writing. These activities also expose children to new vocabulary and language patterns, helping them develop their verbal and comprehension skills.
Creating Joyful Learning Experiences
One of the greatest benefits of music and movement in early childhood education is the pure joy it brings. Children naturally respond to music with enthusiasm, and when movement is added to the mix, it creates a dynamic and engaging learning experience.
By integrating music and movement into preschool and early elementary classrooms, we provide children with a rich, multi-sensory approach to learning that is both educational and deeply enjoyable. These experiences not only foster essential skills but also create a love of learning that will stay with children throughout their lives.
Incorporating Music and Movement at Home
The beauty of music and movement is that they can be integrated into the classroom or home with ease. Here are a few ideas for incorporating them into your daily routines:
- Daily Sing-Alongs: Encourage children to sing songs as part of their routine—during transitions, cleanup time, or just for fun.
- Instrument Play: Provide simple instruments like tambourines, drums, or shakers for children to experiment with rhythm and sound.
- Dance Time: Set aside time each day for your children to move freely to music, allowing them to express themselves creatively through dance. Dance with them!
- Musical Storytime: Incorporate music into storytime by singing parts of the story or using instruments to enhance the narrative.
- Act: Get theatrical and act out nursery rhymes and short songs like “5 Little Ducks” and “Mary had a Little Lamb.”
Music and Movement as a Foundation for Lifelong Learning
Music and movement are far more than just enjoyable activities in early childhood education—they are essential for the development of the whole child. By engaging in music and movement, children build cognitive, social, emotional, and physical skills in a way that is joyful and natural. At Creative Children’s Center, we aim to have music and movement throughout each and every day.
Incorporating these elements into early childhood education not only enriches learning but also fosters a love of music, creativity, and self-expression that will stay with children throughout their lives. Music and movement are truly powerful tools that lay the foundation for a lifetime of growth and discovery.
Sources:
- Fletcher, S. (2022). The Important Role of Music and Movement in Early Childhood Learning. International Schools Network. Retrieved from https://isn.education
- Portobello Institute. (2022). The Importance of Music and Movement in Early Childhood Education. Retrieved from https://blog.portobelloinstitute.com
- Wojciechowska, K. (2010). Music and Motion Education in Early Childhood Development. Journal of Educational Review, 7(4), 662–669.