Singing in Early Childhood
- Jenny Skinner
- Dec 3, 2024
- 3 min read
I did a lot of singing in my early childhood - either with my mother, or at school, or on my own. I always loved it. And as a mother myself I always sang at bedtime, or while driving - all the songs I'd committed to memory from my own childhood plus many, many more.
I belive that singing is a vital for early childhood development. From encouraging emotional expression, to supporting cognitive growth, it plays an important role in helping young children explore and understand their world. It's a universal activity that transcends cultures, bringing joy and connection, while building critical foundational skills. It's the best.
Singing helps young children express their feelings and develop a sense of identity. The melodies and lyrics allow them to connect with emotions they may not yet fully understand or articulate. Simple songs like, 'If You’re Happy and You Know It', encourage children to recognise and label their feelings, fostering emotional awareness.
On a social level, group singing activities promote a sense of belonging and cooperation. In preschool settings or family gatherings, singing together helps children learn to collaborate, share attention, and take turns. It also builds confidence as they contribute their voices to a collective experience. Songs that involve call-and-response or interactive elements, like, 'Old MacDonald Had a Farm', teach listening and responding skills, laying the groundwork for effective communication.
Singing is a powerful tool for language acquisition in early childhood. Songs introduce new vocabulary, sentence structures, and rhyming patterns in an engaging and memorable way. Nursery rhymes and simple songs with repetitive lyrics, like, 'Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star', reinforce language patterns and help children internalise the sounds of their native language.
The rhythm and repetition in songs also enhance memory and sequencing skills. Children learn to anticipate what comes next in a song, which strengthens their cognitive abilities. Eg: songs like, 'The Alphabet Song', and, 'Five Little Ducks', introduce letters, numbers, and counting - mixing fun with education.
Singing is often paired with movement. This encourages the development of motor skills and physical coordination. Action songs like, 'Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes', or, 'The Hokey Pokey', engage children in gross motor activities, improving their body awareness and spatial orientation. This can also help refine fine motor skills - when children use hand motions or clapping in rhythm with the music.
Breathing techniques used in singing enhance lung capacity and control, and this can positively impact speech development. The physical act of singing strengthens vocal cords and encourages proper posture, laying the foundation for clear and confident communication.
Singing nurtures creativity by encouraging children to experiment with sounds, rhythms, and melodies. They often make up their own songs or alter familiar ones. Exposure to a variety of songs introduces children to different cultures, traditions, and languages. This can broaden their worldview.
Songs like, 'Frère Jacques' - other cultures and languages.
Singing in early childhood not only supports development but also creates lasting memories and a love for music. It is an accessible, joyful activity that requires no special equipment, making it easy to incorporate into daily routines. It soothes, it teaches, it entertains. It strengthens the bond between caregivers and children and gives a foundation for lifelong learning and appreciation of music.
I was inroduced to it from birth and consequently continued throughout my life - even singing professionally for a while.
Singing is a multifaceted activity that supports the holistic development of young children. By integrating singing into early childhood experiences, parents, educators, and caregivers can nurture emotional, cognitive, physical, and social growth, ensuring a well-rounded and joyful start to life. It's the best!