Music exists in every known culture to man. From indigenous Australian aborigines exploring nature through sound to an elementary schoolroom in Japan learning the Suzuki method to American high schoolers jamming to a hopping jazz tune in New Orleans, each cultural group shares its own unique story through music.

All over the world, children learn music

Japan

The Japanese Suzuki method, widely adopted both in the East and West and created by educator Shinichi Suzuki, educates the whole child using music[2]. Children study music by ear at three years old. They learn in groups, and teachers test them on classical literature. Parents actively involve themselves with their child’s music education, regardless of their own musical background. The combination of parent involvement, ear training, a positive learning environment, and group learning helps Suzuki students mature quickly in music.

Sweden

Swedish schoolchildren create their own rock bands in music class, choose a few snazzy tunes, and jam together[5]. Educators developed this curriculum to counter traditional music education. Kids have fun teaching each other through self-expression and organic ear training.

South Africa

In South Africa a children’s orchestra brings joy to the Sowetto community, where hope is almost nonexistent for youths[5]. Founded by British violist Rosemary Nalden, the ensemble has grown to over 80 members. Children learn to overcome hardship and express themselves through music instead of violence.

Germany & Canada

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One of the topics we’ve been looking at in Music & Life is early music learning and how you can introduce music into a child’s life in a fun and educational way.

Today we’re speaking with Joanne van de Heuvel-Berkers, founder of the Play On Education Music School, a Worcestershire, UK-based music school which specialises in early years music education and introducing elements of fun and play to learning music.

We asked Joanne to share some of her insights into teaching music at an early age, and tell us more about the approach she has chosen in her school.

The Play On Education Music School was developed as a response to the lack of good quality early years music education in the local area. I have always had a strong interest in music education for the very young and so alongside my training as a teacher and Music Coordinator in schools, I have also sought out further, more specialised courses to learn more about this area of music education and child development.

It is my aim for Play On Education to inspire parents to share the joy of music with their children, either by using ideas and information from the blog and Facebook page, by attending a class, or a combination of both.

Following the birth of my son I searched for a class based on Kodály principles which would develop early musicianship skills in a fun, musical and child-centred way. I found that despite the fact that there were many groups offering entertaining classes to children, there was a lack of classes which focus on musicianship skills that could later be developed and transferred onto an instrument.

It made sense to expand the piano teaching business I’d been building over the years to include early years Music Kindergarten classes, with baby, toddler, preschool and school age music classes which introduce children to musical activity in a fun and age-specific way. It is my aim for Play On Education to inspire parents to share the joy of music with their children, either by using ideas and information from the blog and Facebook page, by attending a class, or a combination of both.



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Did you jam on the keys at age five? Sing since you wore diapers? Or did you just pick up music a year ago?

The amount of music in your life directly affects your ability to understand language. The longer you have played, the better your language skills[4]. How is this possible? What are the hidden connections between music and language? Is it too late to improve your language skills through music?

Understanding the distinct sounds of language begins at infancy[4]. As a child, you listened to lullabies, invented your own songs, and played toy instruments. Each time you heard a familiar tune or hit a wooden spoon against a metal pot, you increased your brain’s ability to understand the rhythms, syllables, and distinct sounds of language[5]. Simple songs helped you learn how to communicate with words and learn new vocabulary[4, 8].

While musical activities can help children learn language, musical training in an instrument or voice increases language learning in both children and adults[4]. Why? Click to read the rest…