Week of the Young Child 2022: Music Monday

Music is a magic like no other, which can do incredible, unexplainable things.

Tom Fletcher

“The itsy bitsy spider went up the water spout…” As you read that line you probably heard the tune, and may have even begun to sing the song. 

Music is powerful, and it supports your child’s development throughout early childhood. As children explore music through play, they make discoveries about themselves and the world around them. They develop a larger vocabulary, pre-reading and math skills, and strengthen their social and emotional skills. But most importantly, music makes us happy! Music is known for creating happiness, protecting us from illnesses, fostering a sense of community, and building connections.

Summerdale Early Childhood Center teacher Ms. Payton reflects on how she and her students incorporate music into their classroom routines:

“In my classroom, music is used in basically every part of our day. We start our day off with our morning song that welcomes all the students and reviews our building wide expectations of being respectful, responsible, safe and kind. We use music to create and review our daily pattern (using instruments, claps or bells, for example.). In our transitions, we will sing our listening song or the students can choose from our walking song choice cards. Musical instruments are out in our block area to encourage students to play along to the songs we play on our stereo during work time, as well as encourage them to utilize their imagination using the block materials to create other instruments we may not have. For example, one student used our rhythm sticks and log builders to create a drum set and drummed along to the beat of "Che Che Cole" (pronounced Shay Shay Coolay). 

My students love to listen to rhythms and try to create them themselves (such as when splitting words into syllables or creating a pattern using instruments). The use of music allows my students to feel in control of their learning experience and encourages them to express themselves in multiple ways.”

Interested in learning more about the RPS 205 Early Childhood opportunities for families with children Birth-age 5? Visit the early childhood webpage or call the Early Childhood Screening and Placement Office at 815-229-2103.

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Hillary Cook-Harris

Hillary Cook-Harris is the Director of Early Childhood Curriculum and Assessment. Hillary joined RPS 205 in November 2019. She has been an Early Childhood educator and director for more than 27 years.