Do music activities in the preschool classroom enhance music learning?
The preschool teacher assures you that your child’s class engages regularly in music activities—to enhance language development, to reinforce numbers and letters, to develop greater body awareness, creativity, social skills and skills in listening and following instructions. to work out the wiggles when the children cannot go outside to play, and just for fun. These are all valid reasons to use music in the preschool classroom for learning. They do not, however, teach music.
Using music for learning and learning music are two different things. Don’t assume that because your child’s preschool uses music frequently that your child is learning music in preschool. Your child’s musical needs and your little one’s musical sophistication are way beyond ordinary music activities in the preschool classroom.
