“Learning Music the Natural Way: Embracing Children's Innate Musicality in the Curriculum”

Sharanya naidu
Aug 28, 2024
3 min read

Updated: Oct 29, 2024

In the traditional classroom setting, music education often follows a structured curriculum, with lessons carefully designed to guide students through a progressive understanding of musical concepts. However, there is growing interest in the idea of "natural" music-learning processes, where children learn music organically through experiences rather than through formal instruction. This blog explores how these natural processes can be integrated into the music curriculum to create a more holistic and engaging learning experience for children.

Understanding Natural Music-Learning Processes

Children have an innate ability to engage with music. From a very young age, they respond to rhythms, melodies, and sounds in ways that are both instinctual and joyful. These responses are often seen in spontaneous dancing, humming, or even creating makeshift instruments to explore sounds. This natural engagement with music highlights the importance of experience-based learning, where children learn by doing rather than by being taught in a traditional sense.

Natural music-learning processes are rooted in the idea that music is a lived experience, not just a subject to be studied. These processes are often characterized by play, exploration, and imitation. Children learn music by interacting with their environment, experimenting with sound, and mimicking the musical behaviors of those around them, such as parents, peers, or musicians they observe.

Integrating Natural Processes into the Curriculum

To create a music curriculum that embraces these natural learning processes, educators need to shift their focus from rigid lesson plans to more flexible, experience-based learning activities. Here are some ways to integrate natural music-learning processes into the curriculum:

Incorporating Play and Exploration: Encourage children to explore musical instruments, sounds, and rhythms in a playful manner. Provide opportunities for improvisation and experimentation, allowing children to create their own music and discover the sounds they enjoy.
Encouraging Imitation and Interaction: Children often learn by imitating what they hear. Incorporate call-and-response activities, where the teacher plays a phrase, and the children respond by mimicking it. This not only helps them develop listening skills but also fosters a sense of musical conversation.
Creating a Musical Environment: Surround children with a rich musical environment. Play different genres of music, introduce them to various musical instruments, and encourage them to listen to and analyze music in their surroundings. This immersion helps children develop a natural affinity for music and a deeper understanding of its nuances.
Allowing for Self-Directed Learning: Give children the freedom to choose what they want to explore in music. Whether it’s learning a new instrument, experimenting with vocal techniques, or composing their own songs, self-directed learning empowers children to take ownership of their musical journey.
Blending Formal and Informal Learning: While natural processes are crucial, they can be complemented by formal instruction. Blend structured lessons with opportunities for creative exploration. For example, after teaching a musical concept, allow children to experiment with it in their own way, fostering both understanding and creativity.

The Benefits of a Lived Experience Approach

A music curriculum that incorporates lived experiences and natural learning processes has several benefits:

Enhanced Engagement: Children are more likely to engage with music when it is presented in a way that feels natural and enjoyable. This approach makes learning music fun and less of a chore.
Deeper Understanding: By exploring music through lived experiences, children develop a deeper and more intuitive understanding of musical concepts. They learn not just the “how” but also the “why” behind music.
Creativity and Innovation: Natural music-learning processes encourage creativity. Children are free to experiment and think outside the box, leading to innovative musical expressions.
Lifelong Connection to Music: When children learn music through natural processes, they are more likely to develop a lifelong love for it. Music becomes a part of their identity, something they enjoy and continue to explore throughout their lives.

Conclusion

The traditional music curriculum, with its structured lessons and objectives, has its place in education. However, by incorporating children’s natural music-learning processes, educators can create a more dynamic and engaging learning environment. This approach not only enhances children’s musical abilities but also nurtures their creativity, confidence, and connection to music. As we continue to explore the intersection of formal and informal learning, it’s clear that music education, like music itself, thrives best when it is lived, experienced, and enjoyed.

By understanding and embracing the natural ways children learn music, we can create a curriculum that resonates with their innate musicality, fostering a lifelong love and understanding of music.

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