The Gift of Music in Early Childhood Education

If you don’t have music in your life, you’re missing out. If children don’t experience music in their lives, they’re being disadvantaged.

Music is often described as food for the growing brain. Research consistently shows that exposure to a high-quality music program from a young age supports cognitive, social, emotional and physical development.

Every child is born musical, with innate potential and a natural ability to respond to music. As early childhood educators, we play a vital role in nurturing this potential and creating opportunities for children to engage musically. They cannot reap the benefits of music without our help.

Overcoming “I’m Not Musical”

Many adults shy away from singing or dancing with children, worrying that they’re “not musical” or “can’t sing in tune”. Some fall back on the same handful of songs year after year, leaving children with limited experiences.

But music is inside all of us. Young children don’t care if your voice isn’t perfect - they care that you join in. Singing, moving, and making music together gives them joy, belonging, and developmental benefits that last a lifetime.

So, how are you currently using music with your children? Do you sing only at group time, or just play calming music at rest time? Do you put on background music while they play? These are great starting points - but the real magic happens when we use music intentionally to optimise development.

The Five Branches Framework for Music in the Early Years

At Branch Into Music, we use the Five Branches Framework to guide early years music programs. Like a strong, healthy tree, a well-rounded music curriculum needs five branches: Beat, Singing, Instruments, Movement, and Listening.

1. Beat

Keeping a steady beat helps children develop rhythm, coordination and focus. Try patting your knees in time while singing, or marching around the room to favourite songs.

2. Singing

Singing together promotes confidence, belonging and language development. It even releases “happy hormones” that lower stress. Revisit nursery rhymes, Play School classics, or create a playlist of short, catchy songs. Practise in the shower or in the car and "fake it 'til you make it" - your children will love you for it!

3. Instruments

Exploring instruments builds memory, spatial reasoning and self-discipline. Provide unstructured opportunities with an “instrument box”, but also use instruments intentionally. Class sets of simple sound-makers allow you to run consistent activities with the whole group.

Check out this old video for ideas.

4. Movement

Through dance and movement, children develop coordination, balance, strength and self-expression. Classics like Heads and Shoulders or Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear are always a hit. Don’t forget favourites like The Wiggles and Play School movement songs - perfect for “shaking your sillies out”!

5. Listening

Active listening is essential for language and literacy. Play music from different genres - classical, jazz, folk, world music - and talk about what you hear. Ask children how the music makes them feel or what story it might be telling.

The Gift We Can Give

Music is joy. It helps children feel the beat, sing with confidence, move freely, and listen deeply. As educators, we are in a unique position to nurture this joy while strengthening children’s learning and development.

For more ideas, free resources or to book Anne to speak at your next event, visit Branch Into Music . Let’s give the children in our care the gift of music - it’s one of the most valuable gifts we can offer.