Integrating Music into the Early Childhood Education Classroom

It's bright and sunny on a typical Tuesday morning at a local preschool. An eager group of toddlers circle around their teacher in response to her singing, "Old Mac Donald Had a Farm." One toddler, so filled with joy, jumps in anticipation of the next animal sound. Another toddler mimics the facial expression's of her teacher, while clapping and repeatedly reciting the animal sound, "Mooo!" The remaining members of the group proceed to respond to the song by jumping, clapping, giggling, and rolling throughout the circle time area.

According to ZeroToThree.org, young learners are able to build connections through stimulating, rhythmic sounds and vibrations. Some educators might find the integration of music into the curriculum to be a daunting task, given the high number of duties and transitions already present within a daily classroom routine. With a second glance, however, one might find the use of music in the early childhood setting to be of great resource to the environment and learning processes of its young learners.

Down the hall, in another classroom, a small group of preschoolers transition from free-play to clean up/snack time while listening to a popular song from the "Frozen Soundtrack." Upon the sound of the first chord from the CD track, without hesitation, the preschoolers sing along, proceed to clean up their play areas, transition into hand-washing, and settle in for snack time.

Ideally speaking, the purpose of integrating music into early childhood classrooms is to enhance the learning experience through sound and movement. This can be done using a variety of songs, instruments, rhythms, chants, and beats. Music engages young learners and aid's in the development processes of cognitive, social-emotional, and physical development. Just as the online resources for integrating music into learning are plentiful, so are the interactions and the learning opportunities for young children possible, through music.

Circle Time Songs-

• The More We Get Together- Kiboomers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOcijampDro

• Apples and Bananas- The Countdown Kids

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTxwygaTZso

• Goodbye Song- The Singing Walrus- This song is a great way to incorporate as a transition at the end of the day.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LDArAJf7-c

• Shake Your Sillies Out- The Learning Station- This song is high energy and encourages young children to get moving!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwT5oX_mqS0

Good Morning Songs

Ready, set, learn! Good morning songs are an excellent way to start the day. Little learners are given the opportunity to join in together and set the energy for the day. Preschool Inspirations provides a wide range of good morning songs that are not only adorable, but engaging for young learners.

• Good Morning Song

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAm7qm7t1vs

• Good Morning Song- The Learning Station

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asl00AKFfwM

• The Singing Walruses Presents- The Good Morning Song

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CuI_p7a9VGs

Hip-Hop Inspired Songs - Naeyc.org details how to effectively integrate hip-hop culture into the classroom.

Click "Teaching and Learning with Hip-Hop Culture"- Naeyc.org

Classroom Playlist:

Song: “EP Shuffle”

CD: Sing a Song

Artist: Aaron Nigel Smith

Song: “One Love”

families.naeyc.org/song/one-love

Music on a Budget- Edutopia.org provides a go-to guide to integrating music into the classroom with limited resources.

Click "Music as a Teaching Tool"- Edutopia

• Handmade Musical Instruments (rain maker, drum, tambourine)

• Create a CD to which encourages relaxation time, motor skills, and cognitive development

• Clapping, stomping, snapping, humming and whistling

Music Inspired Text

• "I Got the Rhythm"- by Connie Schofield-Morrison

• "101 Rhythm Instrument Activities for Young Children"- by Abigail Flesh-Connors

• "We're Going on a Bear Hunt" -by David Axell

• "Thunder Cake"-by Patricia Polacco

Resources:

Alegria, M. (2017, June 7). Music as a Teaching Tool. Retrieved from https://www.edutopia.org/blog/music-teaching-tool-maria-alegria

Broughton, A. (2017, January). Teaching and Learning With Hip-Hop Culture. Retrieved from https://www.naeyc.org/resources/pubs/tyc/dec2016/teaching-and-learning-hip-hop-culture

Parlakian, R. and Lerner, C. (2016). Beyond Twinkle, Twinkle: Using Music with Infants and Toddlers. [online] ZERO TO THREE. Available at: https://www.zerotothree.org/resources/1514-beyond-twinkle-twinkle-using-music-with-infants-and-toddlers.

Author: Marilynn Andrews