Why is music so important in a child’s development?

Wednesday 18th May 2022

We strongly believe that music helps nurture growing minds at The Mead, but you don’t have to take our word for it; it’s backed up by science! A study in 2016 by the Brain and Creative Institute (BCI) looked into the importance of music in a child’s development:

“The auditory system is stimulated by music. This system is also engaged in general sound processing fundamental to language development, reading skills and successful communication.”

Assal Habibi, lead author of Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience 2016, to USC News

Other studies document the intellectual, socio-emotional and cognitive development benefits of exposure to music from a young age. According to the ‘National Association of Musical Learning’ (NAfME), learning to play instruments can even help improve mathematics scores and SAT results.

We lead and encourage children to explore a variety of musical genres and learn their choice of instruments. Children can have private lessons on the piano, guitar and ukulele, strings, woodwind, brass and percussion. A range of clubs augments their studies, including KS1/KS2 Choir, the String Group lunch club and the musical theory breakfast club. Each term, we have several performance opportunities to grow confidence in front of an audience and celebrate their growing abilities.

Pre-reception performs in front of an audience to showcase what they learned in music this term. Head of Music, Mr Harley’s interactive music classes are a guaranteed hit with Early Years!
Reception and Year 1 take turns leading the African Djembe drum music lesson. The lessons developed their freedom of expression through music and gave all the children a turn to take control of the class. According to the Bambara people in Mali, the name of the djembe comes from the saying “Anke djé, Anke bé,” which translates to “everyone gathers together in peace.”
Year 2’s Ukulele lesson! The lesson’s focus was to learn different notes and work on timing.
“Amazing Grace” by John Newton in Strings Club at lunchtime