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| Musical Development in Children |
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| Author : Edusearch
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| Created : 19 Feb 2004
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| Last Revision : 19 Feb 2004
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Every child is unique and develops at their own pace. This is a rough guide to your child's likely musical development.
Before Birth
A baby in the womb can hear sounds from 20 weeks after conception.
0 - 18 Months
From conception to eighteen months your baby is developing rapidly and its response to musical activity will not only be rewarding but highly beneficial to his or her general development.
At birth babies can hear high-pitched noises, may be calmed by lower sounds and can locate sound in front of them. They will be startled by a loud or sudden sound.
By four weeks they prefer high-pitched sounds and start to respond to the sound of your voice. They will recognise whether sound is coming from behind or in front.
From three months they may respond actively to music by, for example, swaying and turning towards the sound and vocalising vowel sounds like "Aaah", "Eee" and "Ooo".
At 20 weeks they begin to recognise familiar voices and respond differently to the sound of strange voices.
By six months they start imitating sounds e.g. Boo! La!
At 28 weeks they will look towards sounds from above and below and tell tunes apart.
By nine months they respond to familiar songs.
Their singing may follow a familiar melodic pattern.
From one year they will begin to lose the capacity to hear high-pitched sounds but start to discover musical pulse, and create sounds by banging everyday objects.
Some babies say their first words as early as eight months. Many begin to talk around eighteen months and some take a little longer. Singing with your baby could speed up this process.
18 months - 3 years
By eighteen months your baby may start to respond to music in a coordinated way.
Language skills can develop further through singing and imitation.
Moving and responding to music can help develop memory and hand/eye coordination.
They will learn to distinguish between loud and quiet, fast and slow.
They begin to be aware of a beat in the music and recognise different rhythms.
They will learn the words to simple songs and develop the coordination needed to play simple instruments i.e. simple drums or bells.
This is when they begin to find out how to cooperate with other children.
3 - 5 years
Your child may begin to become more aware of pitch and rhythm.
They will learn to sing more complex songs as language skills grow and their vocal chords develop.
They can cope with more sophisticated movement to music.
They will take pleasure in playing and exploring new sounds and instruments.
5 - 7 years
Your child will acquire new vocal strengths and increase their range.
They will develop a better memory of music though repetition of songs and patterns and an understanding of simple musical concepts.
They will be able to play simple percussion instruments and, given the opportunity, will be able to pick out tunes on instruments such as keyboards or xylophones.
Some may develop a passion for pop music now, though some start earlier.
This is a crucial age for encouragement as many children especially boys stop singing naturally and are often reluctant to persevere with playing a musical instrument.
7 - 11 years
Your child will perform and compose with greater confidence.
They may want to learn an instrument.
They will become more computer literate and discover music technology.
Their taste in music will develop.
They will learn to improvise.
They will start to discuss and evaluate music.
11 - 14 years
Your child will experience the physical changes of puberty and adolescence.
From as early as 11 a boy's voice may start to change and a girl's voice will deepen. This varies for each child and can happen much later.
They may take up a musical instrument, or even a second one.
They will decide whether or not to take Music GCSE or Standard in Scotland.
They will develop vocal technique and vocal expression.
They may learn to think more critically and analytically about music.
They will have a more advanced knowledge of computers and ICT.
They might begin thinking about a career in music.
They will develop their own musical identity.
They may develop a passion for challenging music.
14 - 16 years
Your child may consider taking music beyond GCSE or Standard at school.
They may consider a career in music - be it a DJ or a classical conductor.
If it has not already, a boy's voice may start to change and a girl's voice will deepen. This varies from child to child.
They will learn to articulate their views on music and justify their passions
They may decide to learn an instrument, or even a second one.
16+ years
Your child may plan further study at a University or college.
They may take the first steps towards a career in music.
This is one of many informative articles on the BBC website Parents Music Room>
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