Understanding the Importance of Music in the Development of Children

Music and Culture

Multicultural education is one of the most important things we teach in our classrooms. We are a global society and, as such, need to appreciate each other.

Exposing children to different cultures promotes acceptance, and therefore a fun learning environment. What better way to do it than through music? Music is the symbol of all cultures and reflects the thoughts, feelings and histories of its people. It has been the language of communication since the beginning of time.

Multicultural education teaches children about other regions of the world and about the diversity of people on the planet.

Musical Instruction Around the World

Musical instruction can be divided into various areas, such as music of different countries or music of different festivals and practices of people from all around the world. For example, you could have an 'African-themed' week or have a 'Christmas music from around the world' week.

The goal is to expose children to a diversity of music, and therefore cultures from every continent, at an early age so that they learn to appreciate different ways of doing things and value the contributions others make to the world, rather than dismiss them because they are different. Through music as the great equaliser, children recognise the interconnectedness of the world.

Identity and Belonging Through Music

Children have a strong sense of identity, and to celebrate that identity through music is empowering to them. Belonging is what most children want above all. Relationships are important to them as they grow, and culture is essential for identity. Culture shapes us.

At an early age, children are learning to participate fully in society, and that is intertwined with culture. Music is a strong part of a child's growing identity. For generations, music has been an important way in which cultures pass on their history and their ways of doing things. It provides an identity to people.

Music connects children to their world and makes it easier for them to learn new ideas and concepts so that they feel more connected to their environment, and therefore are able to contribute to their world in more meaningful ways.