Importance of Music

As parents, from the very beginning we sang or hummed to our babies.  Whether it was to calm them down when they are upset or to get them to smile and laugh.  As they get older, our children come home singing new songs that they learn in school and we try to sing along or figure out what they are singing.  Music is all around us and it is an important piece in the development of your child.

Music ignites all areas of child development: intellectual, social and emotional, motor, language, and overall literacy. It helps the body and the mind work together. Exposing children to music during early development helps them learn the sounds and meanings of words. Dancing to music helps children build motor skills while allowing them to practice self-expression. For children and adults, music helps strengthen memory skills.

We are very fortunate to have Ms. Barb who plays her guitar with sings with the Trans and Toddler children on a weekly basis.  The children look forward to music time with Ms. Barbie.  Seeing all the children together singing, dancing, and doing fingerplays makes us all smile as we see their pure enjoyment.

This year we have added in a music program two times per month for our preschool and prekindergarten children.  Lisa from Music on the Move started coming in this month to sing, dance, and play music with the children.  The first week was a great success.  The children loved the opportunity to sing, dance, and play instruments.

I encourage you to sing and dance with your children at home.  It doesn’t matter if you can’t play an instrument or carry a tune.  I promise you, your child won’t care.  They only care that you are spending time with them and are doing something that they enjoy.  Be silly, dance, music is also a great stress reliever for parents!  I have included a video of a popular song sung at the center, “The Wheels on the Bus” by the Learning Station to get you started!