Music for Early Learning ─ Songs and Musical Activities to Support Children's Development

Is my singing good enough? What should I do with instruments? How can I create a rich and exciting musical environment which will allow for both child and adult led musical activity?
Singing, dancing and music-making comes naturally to young children, but we as adults often lack confidence in our musical ability. This easily accessible book will help you to realise that everyone can be a creative music-maker with young children. It aims to inspire you to take young children’s enthusiasm for music and create a musically rich environment that supports all areas of learning and development and at the same time celebrate music for music’s sake.
Packed with activities, songs and musical games, this book includes:


Recognising musical development in young children and the benefits of music-making in the early years


Advice on inclusive practice


Guidance on using musical instruments


Ways to develop your own musicality


Help with planning and assessment


Chapters linking musical activities to each area of learning and development


How to create a balance between adult-led and child-initiated activities

Music for Early Learning also includes a CD containing 23 songs and listening activities linked to each area of development which can be used as a standalone resource or alongside the music manuscript and Guitar and Ukulele tabs provided, as well as lyrics to each of the songs.
This practical text will help you to realise the wonderful opportunities that music can offer young children and is an ideal resource for Early Years Practitioners, Early Years consultants and trainnee teachers, as well as those on Nursery Nursing and Childcare courses at Further and Higher education levels.

Linda Bance is founder of Play Music Play, a community music organisation promoting creative music-making for young children. She divides her time between teaching, training and consulting and is the Education Consultant for the BBC’s CBeebies music programme Zingzillas.

Section 1; 1. Introduction; 2. The Musical Development of our Young Children; 3. Our Own Musicality; 4. Making the most of Musical Instruments; 5. Listening to Music; 6. Working with Musician; 7. Musical Activities and ICT; Section 2; 8. Music for Early Learning; 9. Songs and Musical Ideas; 10. Ideas using Simple Musical Instruments; 11. Guitar and Ukulele Tabs; 12. Glossary; 13. Bibliography; 14. Further reading and resources; 15. Acknowledgements