Music and Early Childhood

Produced by Ron Gould for Connecticut Public Television

• "Shows how music is basic to the development of young children." - Booklist
• "Presents compelling reasons for making music a part of every child's life." - Hartford Courant

With educational budgets severely strained, there is a tendency to cutback on arts education. Music and Early Childhood makes a strong case for beginning music education at a very early age because of its importance as a precursor to language skills. As Howard Gardner, Professor of Psychology at Harvard University points out, human beings have seven categories of intelligence, and music is one of them.

We hear from experts including John Fierabend, Associate Professor at the Hartt School of Music, Humphrey Tonkin, President of the University of Hartford, and Edwin Gordon, Professor of Music, Temple University who all confirm that the earlier a child is exposed to music and rhythm the more naturally these talents will develop. If unused, musical ability can atrophy.

The film shows groups of very young children happily engaged in musical activity. Mothers are usually part of these sessions, learning how to encourage new skills. Years ago, before television and two-career parents, many of these songs and games were part of daily life at home. As Professor Fierabend says, if we make music part of our children's lives, it will enrich their adult lives. This film will interest music educators, child development experts, and curriculum specialists.

American Psychological Association, 1994
Finalist, Birmingham International Film Festival, 1994
Western Psychological Association, 1994

28 min. Video or DVD. Sale $195. Video rental $55.