The Power of Movement in Music Learning for Young Children
Recently, I observed a remarkable improvement in young children’s pitch-matching abilities through the integration of movement in their music lessons. Watching several children, aged 6-9, increase their confidence in pitch matching was a powerful testament to the benefits of dual coding, where they linked musical pitches with physical movement.
In our recent sessions, I introduced an exercise where children moved from floor spot to floor spot, each spot representing different pitches. As they physically approached the contour of the melody, their ability to match the pitch improved significantly. The kinaesthetic approach allowed the children to internalise the melody's structure more effectively.
This exercise not only enhanced their ear training but also made learning more engaging and fun. By associating pitches with physical locations, the children could visualise and feel the musical intervals, leading to better pitch accuracy. The video embedded above captures these moments and highlights how movement can transform music learning for young children.
Watching their progress has reinforced my belief in the power of movement as a tool for musical education, particularly for young learners. The joy and confidence they exhibited following the exercise were truly inspiring.