At Music Go Round, we believe that every child has a song in their heart and a rhythm in their step. If you work in a nursery or childcare setting, you already know that the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is the heartbeat of everything you do. But have you ever stopped to listen to the literal heartbeat of your classroom?
Music isn’t just a “fill-in” activity for when the weather is too grey for the playground. It is a powerhouse for development! From sparking imagination to firing up those crucial neural pathways, EYFS music activities are the secret sauce to a thriving nursery environment.
With over 20 years of specialized experience in early childhood music education, we’ve seen first-hand how a structured, action-packed session can transform a shy toddler into a confident performer. Today, we’re diving into why music matters so much and how you can level up the developmental support in your nursery.
Why Does Music Sit at the Heart of the EYFS?
The EYFS framework isn’t just a checklist; it’s a roadmap for helping little ones grow into curious, capable human beings. Music is unique because it doesn’t just hit one “area of learning”: it hits them all!
Specifically, music is a cornerstone of Expressive Arts and Design. It gives children the tools to express their feelings, ideas, and experiences in ways that words sometimes can’t. Whether they are exploring the “clatter” of a wooden block or the “shimmer” of a triangle, they are learning to manipulate sound and create something entirely their own.
But it goes much deeper than just making noise. Let’s look at how music supports the three prime areas of the EYFS:
- Communication and Language: Think about the repetition in nursery rhymes. Every “Twinkle, Twinkle” and “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” is a lesson in phonics, vocabulary, and listening.
- Physical Development: Have you ever tried to stay still during an upbeat song? It’s nearly impossible! Dancing and playing instruments build both gross and fine motor skills.
- Personal, Social, and Emotional Development (PSED): Music is a team sport. It teaches children how to take turns, work together in a circle, and build the confidence to share their “voice” with the group.
The Big Three: How Music Fosters Specific Skills
When we bring our nursery music classes to life, we focus on three major pillars of development: confidence, language, and motor skills.
1. Boosting Confidence (The “I Can Do It!” Factor)
There is nothing quite like the look on a child’s face when they finally master a tricky rhythm or lead the group in a favorite song. Our sessions are designed to be low-pressure and high-reward. By providing a safe space to “try out” different sounds and movements, we help children build a core sense of self-belief that carries over into every other part of their nursery day.
2. Language and Literacy (The Rhythm of Speech)
Did you know that rhythm and rhyme are the building blocks of reading? Before a child can decode words on a page, they need to be able to hear the “beats” in spoken language. EYFS music activities help children practice:
- Articulation: Singing slowly helps them form sounds correctly.
- Vocabulary: Our themed sessions (like our farmyard music sessions) introduce kids to new words in a context they can visualize and touch.
- Listening Skills: Learning to wait for a specific “cue” in a song is the ultimate test of auditory discrimination!
3. Motor Skills and Coordination
Playing a drum requires hand-eye coordination. Dancing to a beat requires balance and spatial awareness. Even the simple act of “passing the shaker” in a circle helps toddlers refine their fine motor control. In our classes, we don’t just sit and sing; we move, we jump, and we use our whole bodies to feel the music.
Structured vs. Spontaneous: Why Both Matter
In a busy nursery, spontaneous music is wonderful. Singing a “Tidy Up” song or humming while painting is a great way to weave music into the day. However, structured music sessions provide the progressive learning that really makes skills soar.
Our Music Go Round teachers bring a specific curriculum that builds week-on-week. This structure helps children:
- Understand patterns and sequencing (a key numeracy skill!).
- Develop memory retention as they recall songs and actions from previous weeks.
- Experience a sense of routine, which provides emotional security for many early years learners.
