Sing With Me Baby!
When I sing to a group of young children in my music and movement class鈥攁ges ranging from 6 months to 2陆 years鈥擨鈥檓 always amazed by the various reactions I get. One week, the youngest babies just stare in wonder at this crazy lady singing and patting her legs. But another week, they tap their feet to the beat or start to babble as they join in the singing. The more shy members of a group may hide behind their parents, who swear this same child loudly sings at home. Others may sing every word at the top of their lungs while making faces in the mirror.
When I share what I do with new parents, many times I hear the responses, 鈥淥h, he鈥檚 too young to do anything,鈥� 鈥淲e plan on joining when she can actually participate,鈥� 鈥淗ow cute; it鈥檚 like they understand what you鈥檙e singing!鈥� What I started to notice was how difficult it is to understand developmentally appropriate musical expectations and growth for very young children, since this topic is not discussed as much as others. Parents typically hear more about gross motor skill or language development during their child鈥檚 earliest years and can more easily recall what basic milestones and expectations are for these domains; but it鈥檚 also important to know the milestones and developmentally appropriate musical expectations very young children will meet.
Singing to a child is a great way to encourage musical development; but what are some additional ways to support very young children in this developmental milestone? Here are developmentally appropriate expectations for music development for young children of various ages.
Newborns听should be bathed in song all day long. The most comforting sound in the world is their parents鈥� voices鈥攅specially the mother鈥檚, if they were listening to her for the last nine months. At this stage, they are taking in everything around them, so sing everything! Sing while making a grocery list, sing favorite songs from the radio, sing songs from your own childhood, etc.
Infants听respond to familiar songs and tunes by smiling, babbling, and repeating the resting tone (the last note the adult sings). They show reactions to songs used throughout the day, such as transition songs, bath time songs, and lullabies. The most common response is intense staring, sometimes smiling! They actively listen, process, and try to figure out what is going on in the song. For instance, singing a tune the child is familiar with, such as 鈥淭winkle Twinkle Little Star,鈥� but changing the words to 鈥淣ow we鈥檙e going to the bath, / You can sit and make a splash!鈥� will have the baby thinking about the new words used and what will happen. Infants synthesize beats and patterns when adults tap out the rhythm of a song.
Older infants and young toddlers听show more purposeful responses to music, such as babbling along during a song, tapping their hands or feet with the beat, and shaking rhythmic instruments. Adults should remember to give children space to sing and to repeat sounds. Singing without pause will limit what the child feels he or she can contribute.
By the time children are older toddlers鈥攖hrough age 2鈥攖hey remember the words to familiar songs and sing along, like adults do. They remember the tune of a song and can sing in various pitches. When a rhythm is patted or clapped, toddlers can repeat what they just heard.
Parents and caregivers should also keep in mind their children鈥檚 individual personalities. Some children are overwhelmed by large groups, choosing to observe rather than participate. Those same children may sing what they鈥檝e heard during music and movement class when they鈥檙e back home in a comfortable environment. While it could seem like these children aren鈥檛 engaged, it doesn鈥檛 mean they鈥檙e learning less than their peers! The most important thing during this stage of the child鈥檚 development is exposure to music鈥攎ore active participation will follow.
Just like all types of development, musical development varies from child to child, and it is tied to the amount of musical exposure a child has already had. Children鈥檚 development is constantly changing! One day a child stares at me silently, and the next day she babbles right along with the group! Keep singing, dancing, and making music with your little one every day!