“…success [in music education] is bound up with the need for the production of plenty of music around the child, so that there is set up an environment calculated to develop musical sense and intelligence.” – Maria Montessori, The Discovery of the Child
Music At MRA
The music program at MRA is built around creating positive experiences with music. We meet the students where they are in their musical journey and build skills from there. Together we face challenges with open minds and flexibility. Our music program champions the hands-on approach that Maria Montessori believed in by incorporating movement, instrument work, and using materials like playdough or Legos when learning music symbols and rhythms.
The students’ hard work in the music room culminates in performance opportunities that celebrate what they have learned during the Winter & Spring Programs. It is this triumphant moment when students get to share the music with their friends and families – helping them build a lasting relationship with music.
Toddlers
Music lessons start in the Toddler room where Ms. Jamie and her staff work to teach students sing-a-long songs and they get to use shaker instruments.
Children’s House
In Children’s House, the students move on to more challenging songs that include choreographed motions and more difficult melodies. They also get lessons on bells, rhythm sticks, and composers.
Elementary 1
Once in Elementary 1, students start music class with Mr. James. E1 students learn more difficult songs and are introduced to basic musicianship skills, including:
- Songs in foreign languages
- Choreography and dancing
- Various percussion instruments: boomwhackers and xylophones
These skills and concepts include note symbols, dynamics, tempo, and following text using sheet music.
Elementary 2 & Middle School
Once students have mastered E1 level musicianship skills, they move on to learning more notation symbols, how to read music, and how to compose their own songs. Elementary 2 and Middle School work on similar material. Their singing work features songs with harder melodies, more words, foreign languages, harmonies, writing parodies, and playing percussion instruments while singing. They are introduced to more challenging xylophone/glockenspiel music as well as learning to play the recorder
General Approaches to Music in Montessori Schools
Montessori Services
Music is a universal language loved by children and adults in cultures throughout the world. Children have an uninhibited inclination to move, dance, and make music, as well as an innate capacity to appreciate all types of music. Musical activities are included in the daily life of the Montessori classroom and respected as much as other curriculum subjects.
Montessori Foundation
The Montessori Method recognizes that each child has a unique way of taking in information; some children are very auditory, others visual, and some need a hands-on experience. The goal of a song is to invite the child’s participation through listening, singing, and utilizing hand motions or finger plays. The combination of these events holds the child’s interest from the beginning of the song to the end. The completion of a project is very important for young children; to successfully reach the end of the song leaves them feeling accomplished and builds their self-esteem.
Montessori For Today
Music has the remarkable ability to keep children engaged for long periods of time. Because music extends their relatively short attention spans, it is well worth any challenge it creates. Throughout Dr. Montessori’s studies, she learned that music was a crucial part of early childhood education. Not only should music be taught independently, but it should be used to teach other subjects as well. She decided that music should play a part in every aspect of learning.
Experience Music at MRA
Music is just one example of how students at MRA learn through hands-on experiences that support both academic and social-emotional development.
To learn more about Montessori education and see our classrooms in action, schedule a tour of Montessori Renaissance Academy.
