Heather Redondo is a Rainbows’ parent, a 6th grade music teacher, and a Rainbows’ volunteer. Once a week, Heather brings her ukelele into Rainbows’ Early Care and Education classrooms. “It’s a joy to see the light come into the faces of these kiddos when they hear it’s music time!” she said.
As a teacher, Heather also knows the educational benefits of music. She shared four ways music helps children learn and develop:
1. Communication. As your child listens to music, they strengthen the ability to hear and distinguish different sounds. This is a crucial benefit as children experiment with the sounds that will form their speech. Mercy
2. Executive Functioning. Music activates key parts of the brain responsible for planning and memory skills, and much more! That means if you’re experiencing “parent-brain,” you’ll benefit from some music time too! NCBI
3. Motor skills. One of the first things my son picked up in his Rainbows’ childcare room was the motions to the Itsy-bitsy spider song. He would put his two little fingers together, and we would know it was time to sing! Clapping, dancing, or doing hand motions to a song helps children build their motor skills. Bright Horizons
4. Mood Regulation. Music helps children de-escalate their emotions, and reduces stress and anxiety in all of us. Listening to and creating music produces endorphins in our brains. Even more importantly, making music with children is a great way to show love and attention, and that’s enough to put a smile on anyone’s face! UNICEF
