Music and Research
It’s official – Music is good for you and makes you feel good too. Babies and children love music. Research has shown that singing and movement help brain development, can exercise muscles and improve breathing. Singing not only improves creativity and concentration but can also help to boost memory, confidence, self-esteem and even the immune system. There are so many benefits from making music together and it’s never too early to start. In fact the earlier music is introduced, the more potential a child has for learning and developing a love of music.
Sing, Play and Dance
The combination of sound and movement as you sing and dance with young children can create a special bond, as they love being rocked and bounced in time to music. Singing together with the music will also introduce a child to speech patterns, rhymes and rhythms of words. Toddlers can be encouraged to join in with the actions that support the words to a song; this in turn will help their developing language skills. Simple percussion instruments can be played along to the music and learning to keep a steady beat is an important musical skill with extra benefits!
Music for Learning
Research has linked a child’s ability to maintain a steady beat with school achievement in literacy and maths and also with the development of fine and gross motor skills. Studies suggest that neural networks in the brain are being created when we keep to a steady beat. So try marching, clapping and patting to the lively tracks on the Carousel CDs.
Music is also an ideal vehicle for learning as it is processed by a different part of the brain to that of speech. Young children will learn more readily when information is conveyed through music and rhythm. Remember when we chanted our times tables and how much easier it was to remember words when set to music.
The Foundation Stage Curriculum
The songs, rhymes and dances on the Carousel CD will support every area of the Foundation Stage curriculum, helping to introduce and reinforce new concepts and learning in an enjoyable way as music and the emotions are closely linked.
So if you work in an Early Years setting, why not plan to deliver aspects of the FS through music?
Here are some suggestions:
Choose counting songs up to and back from 5. Use puppets, models or pictures to reinforce counting.
Act out one of the songs that ‘tells a story’ – make a story/song box.
Use a lively song to help tidy up and then march to the beat when going out to play or moving round the school.
Play music during painting sessions as research suggests that this can help children to be creative.
Set up the role play area as a ‘Nursery Rhyme Land’ with books, props, dressing up clothes and Carousel CD.
Use circle dances and action songs in PE – they are at the correct pace/tempo to support creative movement.
Try one of the more relaxing songs as an ideal way to wind down at the end of the day.
On the Move
Going on a journey? Do the children get bored? - Here are some of the great comments that we have received:
Driving home from Nursery school it’s the only CD my grandson Ollie, age 3, wants to hear.
It’s a good opportunity to sing along to all your favourites and learn to count – Sophie age 4.
Our children, age 4 and 6, listened to the Carousel Nursery Rhymes CD all the way from London to Los Angeles.
We listen all the time in the car and when each song has finished my son, age 2, says, “That was a good one ”
The Carousel Music CDs are also available from the following stockists:
The Nursery Warehouse, 3 Star Road, Eastbourne, BN21 1PD - Website CLICK HERE
Mr and Mrs Doak’s Bumper Bookshop: 35 Grove Road Eastbourne BN22 4TT - Website CLICK HERE
Local Roots and Wellie Boots: 8 Grove Road Eastbourne BN21 4TJ
The Christian Resource Centre: Seaside Road, Eastbourne BN21 3PL - Website CLICK HERE
Bags of Books, 1 South Street, Lewes, East Sussex. BN7 2BT - Website CLICK HERE
IF YOU ARE A REGISTERED EARLY YEARS GROUP, EDUCATIONAL SUPPLIER OR RETAIL OUTLET AND WOULD LIKE TO SELL OUR CDS - PLEASE CONTACT US FOR DETAILS
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