A music community project: Helping children gain musical knowledge and develop social emotional growth through musical experience and family involvement
The importance of social and emotional development in early childhood children is now being highly researched in the fields of education and child and family development. Social and emotional development impacts many domains of learning and is the platform for other skills to be explored and mastered. One way to enhance this learning is through the use of music. Music engages both the right and left hemispheres of the brain, which is still developing during the early childhood years. Children feel confident and challenged to think in new ways when accessing both parts of the brain and engaging in musical interventions. There is research exploring the benefits of music with peers in the school setting, but little research on the benefits of music for the family unit in the school. There are particular populations struggling with social and emotional skills that would benefit greatly from a musical intervention in school. Music can enhance communication and be particularly successful for children with autism. When creating a curriculum to support social and emotional development, there is research that supports planning projects based on the interests of the children. This type of lesson planning allows for more meaningful learning to take place. Music has the capacity to bring children and families together and to engage in a group activity that aids in communication, attachment and the creation of social connections.
