Early Childhood Music

MSD Early Childhood Music instruction utilizes a curriculum called Music Play developed by Edwin E. Gordon and his students: Wendy H. Valerio, Alison M. Reynolds, Beth M. Bolton, and Cynthia C. Taggart. This approach is informed by extensive research and current scholarship in the field of Music Learning Theory. Children grow musically through vocalizing (including vocal play, chanting, and singing), movement (including creative movement and rhythmic movement) and listening (particularly to live music making).

Musical development is best fostered through informal guidance when a caring and responsive adult offers activities that create opportunities to follow the child’s lead by incorporating the child’s sounds, movements, ideas, or interests into the music making.

The musical expertise of the facilitator contributes important components as they ensure that there is a variety of tonalities and meters in the space, and they monitor pacing to maximize child engagement. The teacher also offers opportunities for musical (vocal and rhythmic) interactions and playfully extends these interactions to engage children in group and individual music making and creation.

CMSD Early Childhood Piano instruction builds on the musical foundation laid in Early Childhood Music Play classes. Early Childhood Piano classes will help children develop foundational keyboard skills and musicianship in a playful, developmentally appropriate way. In this class, students will move, sing, chant, create, and explore the piano. Students will develop awareness of the keyboard through touch and exploration, learn preparatory technique and body awareness, and will continue to develop music audiation through music play. No at home keyboard is needed.