Music in varied forms offers a plethora of benefits to children, whether they are listening to or making it themselves.
Singing is one of the most enjoyable ways of introducing language to children even before they can speak. When caregivers speak to babies and toddlers, the little ones listen to and start identifying not just sounds and specific sound patterns but also rhythms and rhymes.
Singing to children encourages children to join aw well. There is a huge body of research on how singing benefits children, ranging from improving respiratory, cardiac and brain function to enhance language learning, social skills and emotional expressions.
When caregivers or educators sign what children like, it is rare for the young ones not to respond in some way. Thus, singing helps children learn social skills such as how to invite peers to play, and respond to invitations from others. Above all, a collective singing choir or small group generates a positive group identity, as well as a sense of social inclusion and belonging.
Singing is a fun way to engage children in play. Caregivers and educators can make it active and interactional by singing together, turn-taking and accompanying the singing with lots of movements.
