As parents, we're always looking for the best way to prepare our kids for school. While academic skills are important, they're not the only piece of the pie that matters! Early childhood educators consistently emphasize the magic of music education to foster essential developmental skills. At City Lights Music Together, we align our classes with these expert recommendations that help get your child is ready for the next step in their educational journey.
Music Enhances Key Developmental Areas
Both the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and Zero to Three recognize that music activities promote development across multiple domains:
Language Skills: Engaging with songs and rhymes helps children develop listening skills, expand vocabulary, and understand the rhythms and patterns of speech.
Cognitive Abilities: Music stimulates brain areas involved in memory, attention, and problem-solving, laying the groundwork for academic learning.
Social-Emotional Growth: Participating in group music activities fosters cooperation, turn-taking, and emotional expression.
Physical Coordination: Actions like clapping, dancing, and playing instruments enhance fine and gross motor skills.
Music Is a Natural Learning Tool
Music is a universal language that transcends cultural and linguistic barriers. For infants and toddlers, exposure to music through singing, movement, and rhythm supports early development in a way that's both engaging and effective. Zero to Three highlights that such musical interactions not only promote hitting those developmental milestones but also strengthen the bond between caregiver and child, creating a rich environment for learning and growth. Remember - your child learns best from those they're closely bonded and attached to - that's YOU!
Preschool Readiness Through Music
More important than ABCs and 123s, preschool teachers look for certain behaviors and skills in new students, such as:
Ability to follow directions
Social interactions with peers
Emotional regulation
Communication skills
Our classes naturally support these areas. Through singing, dancing, and playing instruments, children learn to listen, wait their turn, express themselves, and cooperate with others - skills that are directly applicable in their preschool setting.
At City Lights Music Together, we offer classes designed to nurture your child's development through music in a fun and playful way! Our programs are rooted in research-based practices that align with NAEYC and Zero to Three guidelines. When you join a class, you're giving your child a head start in building the skills necessary for a successful transition to preschool when they're ready.