Research suggests that singing can have a positive impact on early literacy skills in young children. According to experts, music and singing can help children learn vocabulary and identify sounds in words, known as phonological awareness.
Studies have found that singing can reduce anxiety and support bonding between caregivers and children. Playing instruments has also been found to strengthen fine motor control and executive function.
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Dennie Palmer Wolf, a principal researcher at the research and consultancy group WolfBrown, says that making more time for music in early childhood classrooms could be a way to improve child outcomes, especially at a time when reading scores have stalled post-pandemic.
However, access to music is uneven and limited for many children. In the earliest years, exposure to the arts is largely contingent on the capacity and resources of parents or caregivers.
Some states are trying to close the gap by bringing music programs into places already frequented by families and young children. For example, the MacPhail Center for Music in Minnesota has partnered with local health clinics to offer free parent-child music classes.
In Houston, the Prelude Music Foundation offers free music classes in local early childhood programs, with an emphasis on underserved communities. And in New York City, the Weill Music Institute has launched music initiatives in child care programs, public hospitals, and correctional facilities to encourage parents to sing and make music with their children.
A state-funded project in Minnesota called Tune Into Reading provided $600,000 for an intervention that used karaoke-like software to encourage more singing in elementary schools. The program, run by the Rock ‘n’ Read Project, was used for 14 hours over a span of 12 to 16 weeks and resulted in notable literacy gains for participating children.
Ann C. Kay, co-founder and education coordinator of the Rock ‘n’ Read Project, says that singing is natural and precedes talking. By encouraging more singing, they can develop young brains for reading.
The Rock ‘n’ Read Project is now partnering with four Head Start pre-K classrooms in Minneapolis to train teachers and encourage daily singing and basic music skills, like beats, rhythm, and pitch. They hope to build early literacy skills and ultimately close reading achievement gaps.
Music and Literacy
Experts agree that music can play a critical role in supporting early literacy skills. By incorporating music into early childhood education, teachers and caregivers can help children develop the skills they need to succeed in reading and beyond.
Benefits of Music in Early Childhood Education
Research has shown that music can have a range of benefits for young children, from supporting literacy skills to reducing anxiety and promoting social-emotional development. By incorporating music into early childhood education, teachers and caregivers can help children develop a strong foundation for future success.
- Improved literacy skills
- Reduced anxiety and stress
- Enhanced social-emotional development
- Improved fine motor control and executive function
These benefits can have a lasting impact on children’s lives, and can help to support their future academic and personal success.
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