[Note: This article discusses music programs, particularly group music programs, for preschool and early elementary school-aged children. Future articles will address music lessons for older children, as well as other options available for parents of very young children who choose not to enroll their children in a formal music program.]

It is an inescapable fact that children love music. A baby's reaction to music, a toddler's delight in learning a song - these things and others can lead parents to consider structured music programs of some kind as their child enters preschool or earlier. If you have considered a music program for your preschool or young child, you may have wondered where to start. The aim of this article is to give you some ideas, not only about where to start, but also about where to go from there.

What are your goals?

Goals in early childhood music programs can be diverse - from developing an appreciation for music to getting a jump on the competition in training to be a performing musician. Spending a little time identifying your goals for yourself and your child can save you time, money and anxiety later on.

Exposing young children to formal music classes has two very different types of benefits: the benefit of learning the musical concepts themselves, which can be built upon in later music education, and less tangible, but often equally important benefits in other areas such as discipline and reasoning. Recent research has indicated that music training can improve spatial-temporal reasoning in children, which is a building block for problem solving skills. Music training can also teach children self-discipline and lead to an increase in their attention spans.

If you are most interested in the musical training itself and preparing your child for future private music lessons, your search for an appropriate program should focus on this factor. Suzuki, Kodaly and Kindermusik programs all focus on learning particular instruments, though the instruments vary from one program to another. (See sidebar.) If you want your child to learn musical concepts and theory, perhaps with the intention of allowing your child to choose an instrument to study later, then any of the music programs listed here would be an option for you.

If your child is enthusiastic about a particular instrument, you may need to settle for a program that teaches basic music rather than teaching the skill of the particular instrument, as most music programs for young children are fairly limited in their ability to teach specific instruments. (Suzuki is an exception here, as is Kodaly if your child's instrument of choice is voice.) The Kindermusik program includes a currciulum for children aged 4 to 7 that includes three different types of instruments - a glockenspiel (percussion), a dulcimer (stringed) and a recorder (woodwind) - which gives children some basis for comparing instruments in making choices later.

Some music programs for young children include a variety of types of learning tools and concepts -Kindermusik classes, for example, include biographical information about composers as well as exposure to music and dances from different cultures. These broader-based programs are excellent choices for parents who are unsure whether their children will advance to private music lessons but want a broad exposure to music for their children. These types of programs are also good for children who have not focused on a specific instrument - or even on music specifically - as being of particular interest to them.

Several programs - particularly Dalcroze and orff Schulwerk - focus in part on improvisation and composition. These skills emphasize the creative process which is so evident and magical in young children. These programs also highlight self-expression, one of music's most lasting gifts.

One aspect of early music programs on which every parent should focus is the amount of time required of the parent for class participation and supervising music practice. Most group music programs require parent participation in the class itself for children up to age 4 or 5. After age 5, parent participation in classes is more limited; however, at that point parents are expected to supervise any practice required as well as any assignments to be completed outside of class. Suzuki programs tend to be very time-intensive for parents and children alike but are especially attractive to parents who wish to learn an instrument, or brush up on their music skills, along with their children.

Group Music Programs for Young Children

There are a number of well-established early childhood music programs, and more are being developed all the time. Some or all of these may be available to you depending upon where you live. The information included in the sidebar to this article is a summary of some of the more prominent music programs available for young children. The national headquarters and website information is included so that you may contact the organization directly for more information about the program and the opportunities in your area.

All of these programs, and many others, provide basic musical training in an atmosphere that is suitable for young children. Which program is best suited to you and your child will depend upon your criteria (time, expense, goals), your knowledge of your child and your research into the teachers and programs available in your area.

In analyzing the program, be sure to meet with the teacher and observe a class if possible. The single most important factor in your child's early music education is likely to be his teacher. Many factors that affect your choice of caregivers for young children - love of children, enthusiasm, training, positive approach to managing groups - are equally applicable to music teachers. It is also important in group music classes for young children that the children are engaged, that the class is filled with movement and music and that the children are working toward a goal or understanding of a musical concept.

Trust your parenting instincts to tell you whether the atmosphere you see is the right one for your child and for you. Once you have chosen a program, commit yourself to it enough to give it a fair chance of success and observe your child's response to the program (two to three months should be sufficient). Hopefully you will find not only that the program meets your goals but also that your child is thriving in it. And that result is a success by any measure.

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Dalcroze

Kindermusik®

Kodaly

Orff Schulwerk

Suzuki

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