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Carondelet Music Center: WHY EARLY CHILDHOOD MUSIC?

WHY EARLY CHILDHOOD MUSIC?
Research findings over the last decade have pointed to the inherent benefits of music-making experiences for young children, especially from birth to seven years of age. These studies point to children’s natural tendencies as music-makers and illustrate music’s influence in stimulating emotional, cognitive, social, and linguistic growth. By following the lead of the child and honoring the child’s agency in the learning process, classes are crafted to address developmental, social, and cognitive trajectories appropriate for each age group. In addition, curricular content is informed and crafted around insights based on the most current early childhood development research.

In September, 2002, the Music Center celebrated its 10th anniversary with an enrollment of almost 500 students, including 50 infants. In the spring of 2003, the Center inaugurated a piano class for senior citizens.

In summer 2007, Sister Patricia inaugurated the Center’s first intergenerational music class which included 8 infants (3 months to 16 months) with their caregivers and 8 retired Sisters of St. Joseph  (ranging in age from 70 to 94). Recent studies suggest healthy benefits resulting from such intergenerational music-making experiences. This highly successful pilot program is now offered each semester. Delighting in the interactions, infants, caregivers, and Senior Sisters reap multi-faceted communal rewards as they create a dynamic intergenerational counterpoint of musical instruction.

Read Sister Patricia's article, "Growing Up and Growing Old: Early Child Development and Care," published in the international journal, "Early Child Development and Care."