The Impact of Music and Dance on Early Childhood Development: Insights and Perspectives.
SIFF Young Artiste
Making Music and Dance Education Accessible for Schools in India
We asked a few teachers for feedback and thought we’d share it with our Community on how holistic development for Music and Dance is taking root via the SIFF Young Artiste Program?
These are some of the highlights from the feedback we received:?
There is an increase in attendance across schools knowing that they have a Dance/Music Class during the Week.?
Improved Self-Confidence: Students are monitored through the camera and this has contributed to them asking questions and also clearing doubts to push themselves to become better.
Self-expression:? Creativity is at the forefront of Music and Dance and students find their own voice or movement has been seen over a while.?
Curated below are the three main areas that are necessary during Childhood Development and how music and dance play an important role in contributing to those aspects of growth?
Incorporating music and dance into early childhood education has garnered increasing recognition for its profound impact on children's development. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 in India emphasizes a holistic approach to education, integrating various elements that contribute to the overall development of students. This article explores the outcomes of adding music and dance to early developmental stages, backed by scientific research and aligned with the NEP 2020's vision.
Cognitive Development
Music and dance significantly contribute to cognitive development in young children. Research shows that musical training enhances cognitive skills such as memory, attention, and problem-solving. Gordon (2012) highlights that children involved in musical activities exhibit improved executive functions and higher cognitive abilities compared to their peers (Gordon, E. E. (2012). The development and education of the young musician. Routledge).
A meta-analysis by Sala et al. (2017) found that musical training positively affects IQ, reading, and math skills, suggesting that the cognitive benefits of music extend beyond music-specific abilities (Sala, G., Gobet, F., & Campitelli, G. (2017). Does music training improve cognitive performance? A meta-analysis. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 12(3), 334-346). Dance also contributes to cognitive development by improving spatial awareness and motor planning, crucial for problem-solving and learning new skills.
Social and Emotional Development
The integration of music and dance into early education supports significant advancements in social and emotional development. According to Hargreaves and North (2017), music fosters social skills through collaborative activities, helping children learn to cooperate, share, and develop empathy (Hargreaves, D. J., & North, A. C. (2017). The social and applied psychology of music. Oxford University Press).
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Dance, on the other hand, provides a unique outlet for emotional expression. Kiepe et al. (2012) found that dance therapy helps children with emotional and behavioral issues by offering a non-verbal means of expressing feelings and enhancing self-awareness (Kiepe, M. S., Petermann, F., & Gollner, L. (2012). Effects of dance/movement therapy on emotional and behavioral problems in children. Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, 33(4), 271-278).
Physical Development
Music and dance are integral to physical development, promoting motor skills, coordination, and overall physical fitness. Dance enhances gross motor skills, balance, and physical agility, as demonstrated by Canning et al. (2019), who found that dance activities significantly improve motor development in young children (Canning, N. R., Thompson, J. L., & Murtagh, E. M. (2019). The impact of dance on children's motor development. Research in Dance Education, 20(1), 85-100).
Rhythmic activities associated with music, such as clapping and tapping, also support motor skill development. Hannon and Johnson (2005) discovered that these activities help children synchronize their movements with rhythms, which is foundational for developing motor coordination (Hannon, E. E., & Johnson, S. P. (2005). The role of rhythm in early development of motor skills. Infant Behavior & Development, 28(1), 92-104).
NEP 2020 Perspective
The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 in India advocates for a comprehensive approach to education that goes beyond traditional academic subjects. It emphasizes the importance of integrating arts, including music and dance, into the curriculum to foster holistic development. According to NEP 2020, incorporating these elements into early childhood education can enhance creativity, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence (Government of India. (2020). National Education Policy 2020. Ministry of Education, Government of India).
The policy encourages the development of skills that are essential for the 21st century, including artistic and cultural literacy. By promoting music and dance, NEP 2020 aims to create well-rounded individuals who are not only academically proficient but also culturally and emotionally intelligent. The policy supports a broad curriculum that includes artistic education, recognizing the role of music and dance in nurturing diverse talents and providing a balanced education.
Conclusion
The integration of music and dance into early childhood education yields substantial benefits across cognitive, social, emotional, and physical domains. Scientific research supports these outcomes, demonstrating that music and dance foster holistic development in young children. The NEP 2020 aligns with these findings by advocating for a curriculum that includes arts and culture, aiming to develop well-rounded individuals who excel both academically and personally.
By embracing music and dance as core components of early education, educators can support the multifaceted development of children, preparing them for a future that values creativity, emotional intelligence, and physical well-being.
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