Moving towards music: Viewing early years musical engagement through the lenses of movement, interaction, motivation, agency, identity and context | Intellect Skip to content
1981
Volume 15, Issue 1
  • ISSN: 2516-1989
  • E-ISSN: 2516-1997

Abstract

This article provides a broad overview of the theoretical approaches underpinning our understanding of early musical development, and considers how this sets the foundation for later development across the lifespan. Through a review of research evidence and theory, I argue for the importance of interaction in thinking about musical development: movement is at the heart of theories of development; interaction and synchrony form the foundation for music learning; and motivation, agency and identity shape patterns of early engagement with music. The importance of setting these activities in context is also emphasized: for parents, teachers and researchers to fully understand young children’s musical experiences, it is vital to consider the cultural contexts and histories of the musical materials, the listener and the situation, as well as how these interact.

Loading

Article metrics loading...

/content/journals/10.1386/ijmec_00010_1
2020-07-01
2024-05-03
Loading full text...

Full text loading...

References

  1. Addessi, A. R. (2009), ‘The musical dimension of daily routines with under-four children during diaper change, bedtime and free play’, Early Child Development and Care, 179:6, pp. 74768.
    [Google Scholar]
  2. Austin, J., Renwick, J. and McPherson, G. E. (2006), ‘Developing motivation’, in G. E. McPherson (ed.), The Child as Musician: A Handbook of Musical Development, Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 21338.
    [Google Scholar]
  3. Barrett, M. (2016), ‘Attending to “culture in the small”: A narrative analysis of the role of play, thought and music in young children’s world-making’, Research Studies in Music Education, 38:1, pp. 4154.
    [Google Scholar]
  4. Bronfenbrenner, U. (1979), The Ecology of Human Development, Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
    [Google Scholar]
  5. Bronfenbrenner, U. (1986), ‘Ecology of the family as a context for human development: Research perspectives’, Developmental Psychology, 22:6, pp. 72342.
    [Google Scholar]
  6. Bruner, J. S. (1966), Toward a Theory of Instruction, Cambridge, MA: Belknapp Press.
    [Google Scholar]
  7. Chelli, D. and Chanoufi, B. (2008), ‘Audition foetale: Mythe ou realité?’, Journal de Gynécologie Obstétrique et Biologie de la Reproduction, 37:6, pp. 55458.
    [Google Scholar]
  8. Cirelli, L. K., Einarson, K. M. and Trainor, L. J. (2014), ‘Interpersonal synchrony increases prosocial behavior in infants’, Developmental Science, 16:6, pp. 100311.
    [Google Scholar]
  9. Cirelli, L. K., Spinelli, C., Nozaradan, S. and Trainor, L. J. (2016), ‘Measuring neural entrainment to beat and meter in infants: Effects of musical background’, Frontiers in Neuroscience, 10, p. 229.
    [Google Scholar]
  10. Costa-Giomi, E. and Ilari, B. (2014), ‘Infants’ preferential attention to sung and spoken stimuli’, Journal of Research in Music Education, 62:2, pp. 18894.
    [Google Scholar]
  11. Creech, A., Papageorgi, I., Duffy, C., Morton, F., Haddon, E., Potter, J., de Bezenac, C., Whyton, T., Himonides, E. and Welch, G. (2008), ‘From music student to professional: The process of transition’, British Journal of Music Education, 25:3, pp. 31531.
    [Google Scholar]
  12. Csikszentmihalyi, M. (1990), Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience, New York: Harper and Row.
    [Google Scholar]
  13. Csikszentmihalyi, M. (1993), The Evolving Self: A Psychology for the Third Millennium, New York: Harper Collins.
    [Google Scholar]
  14. Custodero, L. A. (2005), ‘Observable indicators of flow experience: A developmental perspective on musical engagement in young children from infancy to school age’, Music Education Research, 7:2, pp. 185209.
    [Google Scholar]
  15. Custodero, L. A. (2006), ‘Singing practices in 10 families with young children’, Journal of Research in Music Education, 54:1, pp. 3756.
    [Google Scholar]
  16. Custodero, L., Britto, P. R. and Xin, T. (2002), ‘From Mozart to Motown, lullabies to love songs: A preliminary report on the parents’ use of music with infants survey (PUMIS)’, Zero to Three, 23:1, pp. 4146.
    [Google Scholar]
  17. Custodero, L. A., Calì, C. and Diaz-Donoso, A. (2016), ‘Music as transitional object and practice: Children’s spontaneous musical behaviors in the subway’, Research Studies in Music Education, 38:1, pp. 5574.
    [Google Scholar]
  18. DeCasper, A. J. and Fifer, W. P. (1980), ‘Of human bonding: Newborns prefer their mother’s voice’, Science, 208:4448, pp. 117476.
    [Google Scholar]
  19. DeCasper, A. J., Lecanuet, J. -P., Maugeais, R., Granier-Deferre, C. and Busnel, M. -C. (1994), ‘Fetal reactions to recurrent maternal speech’, Infant Behavior & Development, 17:2, pp. 15964.
    [Google Scholar]
  20. Dweck, C. S. (2000), Self-Theories: Their Role in Motivation, Personality and Development, Philadelphia, PA: Psychology Press.
    [Google Scholar]
  21. Engeström, Y. (1987), Learning by Expanding: An Activity Theoretical Approach to Developmental Research, Helsinki: Orienta-Konsultit Oy.
    [Google Scholar]
  22. Erikson, E. H. (1982), The Life Cycle Completed: A Review, New York: W. W. Norton.
    [Google Scholar]
  23. Feijoo, J. (1981), ‘Le foetus Pierre et le loup … ou une approche originale de l’audition prenatale humaine’, in E. Herbinet, M. C. Busnell (eds), L’aube des sens, Paris: Stock, pp. 192209.
    [Google Scholar]
  24. Gerry, D. W., Unrau, A. and Trainor, L. J. (2012), ‘Active music classes in infancy enhance musical, communicative and social development’, Developmental Science, 15:3, pp. 398407.
    [Google Scholar]
  25. Gerson, S. A., Schiavio, A., Timmers, R. and Hunnius, S. (2015), ‘Active drumming experience increases infants’ sensitivity to audiovisual synchrony during observed drumming actions’, PLoS One, 10:6, p. e0130960.
    [Google Scholar]
  26. Green, L. (2001), How Popular Musicians Learn: A Way Ahead for Music Education, Aldershot: Ashgate.
    [Google Scholar]
  27. Hargreaves, D. J. and Lamont, A. (2017), The Psychology of Musical Development, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
    [Google Scholar]
  28. Hargreaves, D. J., Marshall, N. and North, A. C. (2003), ‘Music education in the 21st century: A psychological perspective’, British Journal of Music Education, 20:2, pp. 14763.
    [Google Scholar]
  29. Hepper, P. G. (1991), ‘An examination of fetal learning before and after birth’, Irish Journal of Psychology, 12:2, pp. 95107.
    [Google Scholar]
  30. Ilari, B., Moura, A. and Bourscheidt, L. (2011), ‘Between interactions and commodities: Musical parenting of infants and toddlers in Brazil’, Music Education Research, 13:1, pp. 5167.
    [Google Scholar]
  31. Juslin, P. N., Liljeström, S., Västfjäll, D., Barradas, G. and Silva, A. (2008), ‘An experience sampling study of emotional reactions to music: Listener, music, and situation’, Emotion, 8:5, pp. 66883.
    [Google Scholar]
  32. Kirschner, S. and Tomasello, M. (2009), ‘Joint drumming: Social context facilitates synchronization in preschool children’, Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, 102:3, pp. 299314.
    [Google Scholar]
  33. Kirschner, S. and Tomasello, M. (2010), ‘Joint music making promotes prosocial behavior in 4-year-old children’, Evolution and Human Behavior, 31:5, pp. 35464.
    [Google Scholar]
  34. Kisilevsky, B. S., Hains, S. M., Jacquet, A. -Y., Granier-Deferre, C. and Lecanuet, J. P. (2004), ‘Maturation of fetal responses to music’, Developmental Science, 7:5, pp. 55059.
    [Google Scholar]
  35. Lamont, A. (2002), ‘Musical identities and the school environment’, in R. A. R. MacDonald, D. J. Hargreaves and D. E. Miell (eds), Musical Identities, Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 4159.
    [Google Scholar]
  36. Lamont, A. (2008), ‘Young children’s musical worlds: Musical engagement in three-year-olds’, Journal of Early Childhood Research, 6:3, pp. 24761.
    [Google Scholar]
  37. Lamont, A. (2011), ‘The beat goes on: Music education, identity and lifelong learning’, Music Education Research, 13:4, pp. 36988.
    [Google Scholar]
  38. Lamont, A. (2017), ‘Musical identity, interest, and involvement’, in R. A. R. MacDonald, D. J. Hargreaves and D. E., Miell (eds), Handbook of Musical Identities, Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 17696.
    [Google Scholar]
  39. Lamont, A. (forthcoming), ‘Lifelong amateur engagement with music: Identity and wellbeing’, Nova Science Publishers Inc: USA.
    [Google Scholar]
  40. Lamont, A., Daubney, A. and Spruce, G. J. (2012), ‘Singing in primary schools: Case studies of good practice in whole class vocal tuition’, British Journal of Music Education, 29:2, pp. 25168.
    [Google Scholar]
  41. Lamont, A., Hargreaves, D. J., Marshall, N. A. and Tarrant, M. (2003), ‘Young people’s music in and out of school’, British Journal of Music Education, 20:3, pp. 22941.
    [Google Scholar]
  42. Lamont, A., Murray, M. and Hale, R. and Wright-Bevans, K. (2018), ‘Singing in later life: The anatomy of a community choir’, Psychology of Music, 46:3, pp. 42439.
    [Google Scholar]
  43. MacDonald, R. A. R., Hargreaves, D. J. and Miell, D. E. (eds) (2017), Handbook of Musical Identities, Oxford: Oxford University Press.
    [Google Scholar]
  44. Malloch, S. and Trevarthen, C. (2009), Communicative Musicality: Exploring the Basis of Human Companionship, Oxford: Oxford University Press.
    [Google Scholar]
  45. Molnar-Szakacs, I., Green Assuied, V. and Overy, K. (2012), ‘Shared affective motion experience (SAME) and creative, interactive music therapy’, in D. J. Hargreaves, D. E Miell and R. A. R. MacDonald (eds), Musical Imaginations, Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 31331.
    [Google Scholar]
  46. O’Neill, S. A. and Sloboda, J. A. (1997), ‘The effects of failure on children’s ability to perform a musical test’, Psychology of Music, 25:1, pp. 1834.
    [Google Scholar]
  47. Parncutt, R. (2016), ‘Prenatal development and the phylogeny and ontogeny of musical behavior’, in S. Hallam, I. Cross, M. Thaut (eds), The Oxford Handbook of Music Psychology, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 37186.
    [Google Scholar]
  48. Partanen, E., Kujala, T., Tervaniemi, M. and Houtilainen, M. (2013), ‘Prenatal music exposure induces long-term neural effects’, PLoS One, 8:10, p. e78946.
    [Google Scholar]
  49. Perkins, R. and Fancourt, D. (2018), ‘Maternal engagement with music up to nine months post-birth: Findings from a cross-sectional study in England’, Psychology of Music, 46:2, pp. 23851.
    [Google Scholar]
  50. Piaget, J. (1953), The Origins of Intelligence in Children, London: Routledge & Kegan Paul.
    [Google Scholar]
  51. Renwick, J. and Reeve, J. (2012), ‘Supporting motivation in music education’, in G. McPherson, G. Welch (eds), The Oxford Handbook of Music Education, vol. 1, Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 14362.
    [Google Scholar]
  52. Ryan, R. M. and Deci, E. L. (2000), ‘Self-determination theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development, and well-being’, American Psychologist, 55:1, pp. 6878.
    [Google Scholar]
  53. Sloboda, J. A., Davidson, J. W., Howe, M. J. A. and Moore, D. M. (1996), ‘The role of practice in the development of expert musical performance’, British Journal of Psychology, 87:2, pp. 287309.
    [Google Scholar]
  54. Sole, M. (2017), ‘Crib song: Insights into developmental functions of toddlers’ private spontaneous singing’, Psychology of Music, 45:2, pp. 17292.
    [Google Scholar]
  55. Spence, M. J. and Freeman, M. S. (1996), ‘Newborn infants prefer the maternal low-pass filtered voice, but not the maternal whispered voice’, Infant Behavior and Development, 19:2, pp. 199212.
    [Google Scholar]
  56. Tomasello, M., Carpenter, M., Call, J., Behne, T. and Moll, H. (2005), ‘Understanding and sharing intentions: The origins of cultural cognition’, Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 28:5, pp. 675735.
    [Google Scholar]
  57. Trehub, S. E. (2016), ‘Infant musicality’, in S. Hallam, I. Cross, M. Thaut (eds), The Oxford Handbook of Music Psychology, Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 38798.
    [Google Scholar]
  58. Trehub, S. E. (2019), ‘Nurturing infants with music’, International Journal of Music in Early Childhood, 14:1, pp. 915.
    [Google Scholar]
  59. Trehub, S. E., Schellenberg, E. G. and Kamenetsky, S. B. (1999), ‘Infants’ and adults’ perception of scale structure’, Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception & Performance, 25:4, pp. 96575.
    [Google Scholar]
  60. Trevarthen, C. and Malloch, S. (2017), ‘The musical self: Affections for life in a community of sound’, in R. A. R. MacDonald, D. J. Hargreaves and D. E. Miell (eds), Handbook of Musical Identities, Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 15575.
    [Google Scholar]
  61. Werker, J. F. and Tees, R. C. (1984), ‘Cross-language speech perception: Evidence for perceptual reorganization during the first year of life’, Infant Behavior and Development, 7:1, pp. 4963.
    [Google Scholar]
  62. Wiggins, J. (2016), ‘Musical agency’, in G. E. McPherson (ed.), The Child as Musician: A Handbook of Musical Development, Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 10221.
    [Google Scholar]
  63. Winkler, I., Háden, G. P., Ladinig, O., Sziller, I. and Honing, H. (2009), ‘Newborn infants detect the beat in music’, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 106:7, pp. 246871.
    [Google Scholar]
  64. Young, S. (2008), ‘Lullaby light shows: Everyday musical experience among under twos’, International Journal of Music Education, 26:1, pp. 3346.
    [Google Scholar]
  65. Young, S. (2012), ‘MyPlace, MyMusic: An international study of musical experiences in the home among seven-year-olds’, Israel Studies in Musicology Online, 10, pp. 115.
    [Google Scholar]
  66. Young, S. and Ilari, B. (2012), ‘Musical participation from birth to three: Toward a global perspective’, in G. McPherson, G. Welch (eds), Oxford Handbook of Music Education, vol. 1, Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 27995.
    [Google Scholar]
  67. Young, S. and Ilari, B. (eds) (2019), Music in Early Childhood: Multi-Disciplinary Perspectives and Inter-Disciplinary Exchanges, New York: Springer.
    [Google Scholar]
  68. Young, S., Street, A. and Davies, E. (2006), The Music One2One Project: Final Report, Exeter: University of Exeter, http://education.exeter.ac.uk/music-one2one/. Accessed 28 February 2009.
    [Google Scholar]
  69. Zentner, M. and Eerola, T. (2010), ‘Rhythmic engagement with music in infancy’, Proceedings of the New York Academy of Sciences, 106:13, pp. 576873.
    [Google Scholar]
  70. Lamont, Alexandra (2020), ‘Moving towards music: Viewing early years musical engagement through the lenses of movement, interaction, motivation, agency, identity and context’, International Journal of Music in Early Childhood, 15:1, pp. 2538, doi: https://doi.org/10.1386/ijmec_00010_1
    [Google Scholar]
http://instance.metastore.ingenta.com/content/journals/10.1386/ijmec_00010_1
Loading
/content/journals/10.1386/ijmec_00010_1
Loading

Data & Media loading...

  • Article Type: Article
Keyword(s): agency; context; identity; interaction; motivation; movement
This is a required field
Please enter a valid email address
Approval was a success
Invalid data
An error occurred
Approval was partially successful, following selected items could not be processed due to error