Why Music in Early Childhood?

Why Music in Early Childhood?

What is the benefit of early childhood music, and why has the Joyful Noise C-Fund supported its cause with the Gift of Music Classes—a free service to children in the community?

Each year, Joyful Noise C-Fund’s non-profit program reaches children who might not otherwise be able to afford early childhood music education. From local Grand Haven Head Start students to children at Holland’s Stepping Stones daycare for the homeless and transient, kids from infancy through preschool age are receiving free instruments along with fun, age-appropriate music instruction through the C-Fund’s A Gift of Music classes.

But what is the benefit—besides being fun?

 According to Harvard psychologist Howard Gardner, “music intelligence is equal in importance to logical-mathematical intelligence, linguistic intelligence, spatial intelligence, bodily-kinesthetic intelligence, interpersonal intelligence, and intrapersonal intelligence.” The multiplicity of benefits to the mind can be seen while viewing the brain through CAT scans; many different areas of the brain are activated through music exposure. Perhaps most interestingly, chunks of information that are ready to be learned can be “bonded” together through songs and melodies. This concept is illustrated through the firm cementing of such childhood songs as the ABC’s, or months of the year—and remembering for decades later as an adult that “thirty days has September.”

The benefits of early childhood music aren’t just academic, though, according to A Gift of Music instructor Chantal Roeske. “All types of children adore music class,” she says of the many students seen each year ranging from infancy through school age. “It brings joy to children with different personality types, ages, and learning capabilities. It is especially therapeutic for children who may struggle with socio-emotional or behavioral issues.” Roeske points out, however, that music class is a luxury for some. “Classes like Kindermusik are very expensive, and music is not often incorporated into preschool programs for cost reasons.”

This year, the Joyful Noise C-Fund has targeted approximately 50 young children in the Grand Haven and Holland area with the Gift of Music Program. Each child receives a free instrument coupled with three consecutive classes that explore everything from culture to music theory. The 2016 instrument theme is tambourines, and students learn how to use and care for their instruments as part of the course, before taking them home at completion. The C-Fund relies on donations from the community to fund their programs each year. Information on the program can be found at here www.CThePossibilities.org.

Are you interested in incorporating music into your young child’s life to reap the developmental benefits? Here are some quick and easy suggestions:

• Let your child choose the soundtrack. Put on the radio in the car, and let them decide on their favorite station. Ask them what they like about the music—point out what you hear, and ask them to do the same.
• Take turns making up rhymes.
• Ask your child to repeat patterns—rhythmic clapping, words or different sounds and pitches.
• Experiment with home-made instruments (like paper plate tambourines or water bottle shakers.)
• Talk to your children about your music preferences—play music for them, and ask for their feedback.

Sources

Gardner, H. Frames of Mind. New York: Basic Books, 1983.

Harman, M. “Music and Movement - Instrumental in Language Development.” Early Childhood News. 2008.

We brought the Gift of Music and Nutrition Expedition to Stepping Stones in Holland!

Miss Chantal heads to Stepping Stones Daycare for Gift of Music classes for the next three consecutive weeks! 

STEPPING STONES IN HOLLAND, MI

The Joyful Noise C-Fund is so excited to be working again this year with Stepping Stones Daycare of Holland, Michigan! Stepping Stones is a very special school that provides daycare for homeless and transient children who are currently residing at Holland Rescue Mission's homeless shelter.

Here is a little bit more about Stepping Stones from their website: 

"Stepping Stones Daycare provides childcare for residents with children. This area of ministry affords parents the assurance of knowing that their children are being well cared for while they actively seek employment or continue to work at their current job.Stepping Stones is more than a daycare, it is a program designed to ease the impact of homelessness on the lives of children residing at the Mission. This ministry provides after-school tutoring, Bible story time, playtime, and field trips.It is difficult for a child to understand why their family could not stay in their home any longer. It is our desire to make the Mission feel like home while it is necessary for their families to stay here. The Family Hope Ministry Center accommodates the needs of this ministry by allowing space for a nursery, two all-purpose rooms, and a youth activity room equipped with computers and games for the older children.The Stepping Stones Daycare represents stability not only for the children, but for the entire family. The staff at Holland Rescue Mission knows that many who enter our doors lack a good foundation for practical living. If we can provide a stable environment for these little ones, we can help build a foundation for their future."

Miss Kelli Brunette of Joyful Noise Christian Childcare's "Nutrition Expedition" program also prepared a wonderful lesson plan and fresh fruit and vegetable box for children to explore and eat. The lesson was based on Giuseppe Arcimboldo, a 16th century Italian artist who loved to create artistic portraits with fruits and vegetables! The children looked at some of his work and had fun recreating their very own fruit and vegetable portraits. They also tried some of the delicious items from the box--even the limes. =)

Miss Chantal, program coordinator and teacher for The Joyful Noise C-Fund's Gift of Music Class, brought lots of fun items for music class, including this butterfly wand! The children enjoyed singing songs about transportation and colors with the ukulele, and each child received a slide whistle and companion brochure to be used for next three weeks of class. The slide whistles are gifts to be kept by the children once classes have ended!

Check back with us soon--there is more in store for the C-Fund this summer, from continued music classes to parenting seminars!

Joyful Noise to offer FREE music classes!

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We're SO excited to be bringing you a BRAND NEW and FREE community program--one of a series and hopefully other programs to come--through support from the C-Fund! Read our official press release below:

Joyful Noise Christian Childcare of Grand Haven, Michigan has created an early childhood music program like none other in the tri-cities area; it’s FREE! Partnering with early childhood resources such as the Grand Haven WIC office, Joyful Noise aims to reach the underserved and lower income population in the Grand Haven area with the gift of music. 

The weekly classes, which will be held on site at Joyful Noise, in First Presbyterian Church, are constructed in three week mini-sessions on Wednesday mornings from 10:30-11:15 a.m., the first of which is scheduled to begin on April 24th. The first course, centered around Latin music and created for 2 ½ to 5 year olds, will incorporate age appropriate song, dance, and instrument exposure.  Students will receive a free “guiro” (a Latin rhythm instrument) upon enrollment, to be used each week. Parents are required to attend. Families participating in the WIC or FIA program will automatically qualify for the classes, but Joyful Noise hopes to connect with a broad spectrum of children and parents who could not otherwise afford to attend similar (and expensive) music programs. “The cost of programs like ‘Kindermusik’ or ‘Music Together’ can be completely unfeasible for some families,” says the program’s instructor and coordinator, Chantal McDaniel, who has been teaching early childhood music at Joyful Noise for ten years. “All children deserve to experience the joy and developmental benefits of music and culture, and we’re hoping that this is the first of many free classes that will do just that!”

Plans for more sessions are underway as Joyful Noise aims to provide a fun, active and multicultural experience for children from infancy through school age.  The service is an extension of the vision that Joyful Noise, a 501 (c)3 non-profit, seeks to fulfill through their “C-Fund”, a giving program that facilitates not only the center’s growth, but also future programs providing free early childhood services (such as classes and resources) to the community.

Interested parties can stop by the website to fill out an application at www.JoyfulNoiseKids.com/GiftOfMusic, or read more about the community based vision for the C-fund at www.CthePossibilities.org. Physical copies of the session flier and enrollment application are available at Joyful Noise at 508 Franklin St. in Grand Haven, Michigan or at the Grand Haven WIC office, located at 1705 S. Beacon Blvd.