Unveiling Artistry in Early Childhood Music

This groundbreaking book brings artistry to the forefront of early childhood music--artistry in very young children and artistry in teaching early childhood music. The role of the musical mind, movement, playing music, and song in the development of young children's artistry gradually unfolds throughout, supporting teachers in developing artistry through successive years from infancy through the primary grades.

Mary Ellen Pinzino draws on many years of experience teaching music to very young children, research in early childhood music learning, and the choral art, taking little children to unprecedented levels of music learning and offering a new genre of songs for young children. Her conversational style of writing speaks to both new and experienced early childhood music teachers, as this book gives voice to artistry in early childhood music.

This comprehensive resource offers both pedagogical and practical aspects of teaching early childhood music. It presents the characteristic behaviors of young children's artistry, its progression of development, and its musical needs from infancy through the primary grades. Musical examples, materials, and practices are offered throughout, with guidance for implementation with babies, toddlers, preschoolers, kindergarteners, and primary grade youngsters over many successive years. Thoughtful lesson planning strategies are presented for children throughout early childhood, in community and school settings, and with and without parents. An abundance of developmentally appropriate songs in various tonalities and meters, with sensitive settings of text that increase in musical sophistication as children develop, are included. This book facilitates the development of artistry in children and in teaching, taking the field of music education to new heights in early childhood music. Pinzino is also the author of Giving Voice to Children's Artistry: A Guide for Music Teachers and Choral Conductors.