Why is it sensible to support children early?

In early years, your child's brain is fully set to 'learning'.Every impression is processed and turned into new information or skill. Research has shown that children between the ages of between the ages of two and four particularly quick at developing nerve cells that network within a short time: Support during this window is therefore particularly beneficial

. From the age of six, the child's brain becomes increasingly occupied with strengthening them. The connections that are not or only rarely used are then forgotten by the brain. For this reason it is important to pay attention to the type of support – and not to forget to have fun

. Only what is needed later and can be built upon makes sense: With early, holistic support you help your child more than with a special language or reading course before starting kindergarten and school. These advantages are quickly caught up by classmates and your child may get bored if they have to hear the material again, thereby losing interest in school.

What is musical early education?Musical early education gives children the opportunity to to have first experiences with musicmusic move. Often in the baby group, nursery or daycare people already like to sing, clap or dance together. Musical early education builds on this and should deepen it – perhaps even as a basis for later singing, dance or music lessons.

But musical early education not only teaches your child to engage with music, singing and dance, but also has an overall positive effect on the child's development. The experiences are thus, for example, also beneficial for the motor, physical and language developmentparticularly beneficial

Goals and contents of musical early education

Musical early education aims to to support children holistically. The basis here is music, but dance and singing also play essential roles. The making music together in groups of children of the same age gives space for movement, play and interaction. In doing so, the focus is above all on children engaging fully with the task and experimenting without developing feelings of shame, as would be the case for most adults if they had to sing or dance in front of strangers.

Contents of musical early education courses

• Getting to know and playing different musical instruments (Orff instruments such as drums, rattles, triangles, glockenspiels or xylophones)

• Learning many simple songs and dances

• Movement, free or choreographed, with or without music

• Training of the ear: high and low tones, loud and quiet, long or short tones

• Introduction to the clef

• Work in groups

What are the advantages of musical early education?

Studies show that children who engage with music early on are usually smarter, more creative and more social. But what exactly are the advantages of musical early education?

Cooperation of both brain hemispheres:

Since children during the courses not only listen or sing, but also combine the music with movement, both hemispheres of the brain are stimulated and must work together. Thus other skills such as reading or arithmetic can be learned better later.

Gaining first experiences:

In early education, the little ones can already develop preferences early on and then later more easily decide on an instrument and the appropriate lessons. And even if your child during the course does not get enthusiastic about a particular instrument can, it may discover preferences for dancing or singing.

Social skills are learned:

Your child attends the course together with about eight to twelve other children. They learn together to play instruments and must pay attention to and listen to each other so that everything sounds harmonious in the end. This way they also develop their interpersonal skills.

Concentration is practiced:

To be able to play along properly and to hear the differences in the music, your child must concentrate. This way it also learns to be able to focus on a task later.

Creativity encouraged:

Besides the guided dances there is also time when children can move as they please. This not only strengthens their body awareness; they don't really care how the movements look – the main thing is that they're fun!

Where is musical early education offered?

Musical early education is usually offered in courses that run for about two years. In Germany, music schools offer the courses for children from three to six years. It is however recommended to begin about two years before starting school, that is at four to five years old, to begin musical support. Also many kindergartens offer early education as a course for interested children. It's best to ask friends and acquaintances, who can surely recommend a good course.

Image credits

Two little girls making music with a xylophone and a tambourine © liderina - stock.adobe.com