Yes, it really does. Music does matter and can enrich every aspect of our lives, even from very early on. However, before I get into that, please allow me to introduce myself.
My name is Gina Mees. I was born and raised in Huron, South Dakota and have lived in this great state for my entire life. As a toddler, I remember climbing up onto my mom’s lap as she was giving piano lessons from our home. Slightly annoyed that some of her students struggled to play every note correctly, I would often stretch my fingers out onto the keys and play the song how it should have been played. Playing piano “by ear” was a gift that I was given in the womb as my mom played piano and gave lessons. During my high school years, I was deeply involved in the orchestra as a violinist and choir and knew that I wanted to continue music into college. At The University of South Dakota, I graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Music Education and later earned a Master of Science degree in Technology for Teaching and Training.
Since then, I have taught in three very different schools in South Dakota. I have successfully taught in an early childhood music program, elementary vocal music, middle school music cultures, and elementary orchestra. In addition, I served as Elementary Music Chair on the South Dakota Music Education Association board. Each position has been incredibly rewarding, but my most important “job” has been being a mom. I have two sons, ages seven and four. Life is busy and life is loud, but they remind me every day of the things that matter. In our lives and in our household with young children, music has mattered and has played a huge role in our children’s development.
“Music, then, represents a remarkable meeting point of intimate and social realms. It provides a basis of self-identity (this is who I am, this is who I’m not) and collective identity (this is who we are, this is who we’re not), often in the same moment.” (Hesmondhalgh, pg. 2) Music is a language that is spoken by all and can be used as a tool for communication and expression. If a lively piece of music is played for two young toddlers, they would both likely begin responding to the music, but not necessarily in the same ways. Music helps our early learners express who they are and who they will become.
Not only is it adorable (and very entertaining) to observe our young expressing themselves through music, but it is fascinating to realize how music is affecting their malleable brain. A positive effect of music instruction and exploration seems to be increased listening and problem solving skills.
Exposing our young children to music can make a monumental difference in their lives because music matters!
References and Resources
Hesmondhalgh, David. “Music as Intimate and Social, Private and Public.” In Why Music Matters, 2. Chichester, West Sussex, UK: John Wiley & Sons Ltd, 2014.
Burton, S. L., & Taggart, C. C. (2011). Learning from young children: Research in early childhood music. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield Education.