| Why is Music Important for Kids? | | | | say; is the fact that we witness the results of scientific |
| This question has been debated for as long as time | | | | principals on a day to day basis result in the |
| has existed. Even the great Greek and Roman | | | | understanding of those scientific principles? No it does |
| philosophers approached the question: is music | | | | not and likewise for music it does not either. The day |
| something that should be taught and does it help the | | | | to day encounters we have with music can move us |
| development of children? Plato answered "I would | | | | but the understanding of this music can help us grow |
| teach children music, physics, and philosophy; but most | | | | as individuals. |
| importantly music, for in the patterns of music and all | | | | In many cultures the family plays the main role in music |
| arts are the keys to learning." And again “what then | | | | education. Families are most commonly the ones that |
| is the education to be? Perhaps we could hardly find a | | | | teach children the music of their culture. As young |
| better than that which the experience of the past has | | | | children, we are commonly sung nursery rhymes. |
| already discovered, which consists, I believe, in | | | | These provide entertainment for the child and often |
| gymnastic, for the body, and music for the mind.” | | | | information in small repeated fashion. Children learn |
| In all cultures of the world music plays an important | | | | through the repetition and structure that the information |
| role. While these roles may change depending on the | | | | was delivered in. many nursery rhymes teach |
| culture it is impossible to separate music from the life | | | | fundamental life lesson and therefore sets music up as |
| of an individual. While some may argue the role of | | | | a means of educating. Children learn from music from |
| music in our lives it is impossible to escape it. Even in | | | | a young age and will continue to for the rest of their |
| the popular culture of Australia it is impossible to go | | | | lives. In a world where globalization and consumerism |
| shopping without hearing music. Music provides a | | | | are dominating cultural identities are drifting into the |
| means of communication and expression of culture | | | | background and children are more likely to be sung |
| and individual identity. | | | | pop songs as lullaby’s than nursery rhymes. The |
| Children are immersed in music from birth and will be | | | | benefit of nursery rhymes and progressive learning |
| for their entire life. If this is the case why teach it? Is | | | | has become an issue. Children are missing out on |
| not the constant immersion in music enough? To this I | | | | fundamental learning opportunities. |