Music in Early Childhood Education: An Introduction for Early Childhood Educators and Parents

This text prepares childcare providers and parents to meet their responsibility to musically nurture young children. In a clear, logical style, students are introduced to research-based support for the important practice of musically nurturing children in the various stages of early childhood. Developmentally appropriate activities are planned through the analysis of the unique characteristics of all early childhood ages and stages. Students are provided activity examples of how to sing, move, listen and play music with and for young children at all stages, including the prenatal stage. Additionally, appendices include instructions for playing and tuning an autoharp, additional activities, music, and musical terms. The author’s goal was to help all early childhood caregivers, including those with no music education, feel more comfortable and competent to fulfill the important role of musically nurturing young children and leading them to a creative expression for life.