The Basics          Types of Centers          Planning and Implementation          Advantages

There are many advantages to using child-centered music.

• Authentic music making and musical interactions emerge from children’s own interests in music.  The emergent curriculum (Jones & Reynolds, 1992).  A curriculum that is not prescribed, but evolves (emerges) from musical interactions with others is more authentic and meaningful for children.

• Respect.  A child-centered music room respects the innate musical abilities of every child.  Every child is a musician.

• Nurturing the whole child.  Cognitive (musical), social, and emotional development.

• Authentic assessment.  Play is children’s natural mode of learning.  What could be more authentic than play?

• Social-constructivist theory (Vygotsky).  While music acquisition does take place in isolation, most often children learn through social interactions with their peers and music specialists.  Alongside a more knowledgeable musician (student or specialist), children can make music that is technically outside their current musical development (Vygotsky’s Zone of Proximal Development).  A child-centered music curriculum represents an ideal context in which to witness young musicians helping one another make and create music for themselves.

• A child-centered music room encourages musical independence and an active musical life.

Be a player!  One of the advantages of center time is that I can get involved in children’s music making as one of the musicians.  In doing so, I become a stronger role model of an active musician.  Children see that I just don’t talk about music, I make music.