Beginning in 2022, I am starting research on the state of early childhood music education across the country. I will be focusing primarily on documenting the daily musical experiences of students from infancy to 8 years old. In these observations and trainings, early childhood educators without music degrees will learn how to better implement musical activities throughout their day that give structure to the classroom routine and provide foundations for a lifetime of musical participation. 

The biggest issue facing our early childhood teachers is not lacking enthusiasm for music, but the lack of preparation in their teacher training programs to lead their students in music. Without the necessary education, early childhood educators are in a confidence crisis. Through careful observation of daily routines and understanding of the student, classroom, and community culture, I plan to give educators ways to use music in a holistic way that captures students’ prior knowledge and interest. These musical activities can be used in the routines already established in the classroom environment. The techniques that early childhood educators can use to teach our youngest students music do not require a musical degree, but instead, the confidence to know that everyone has musical potential and that our students do not need perfection from their teacher to have beneficial and fruitful musical lives in the classroom and beyond.

For my visits to different schools around the United States to be consistent, I need to bring materials to the students and not expect them to have what I need to help design a musical atmosphere. Music budgets are non-existent in many schools, and to expect our students to provide materials for their education is a major sacrifice in equity. Providing the same materials to all students is essential to create an environment of inclusivity and equal opportunity for expression. After my observations, I will provide educators with ways to acquire funding for purchasing instruments and training in using everyday items to re-create instruments used during training sessions and classroom activities.

There are many types of classroom instruments. For the sake of transparency, I am listing the instruments I will use in my research and trainings. The prices are an average of 26 of each instrument (one for every student in a large class) in a quality that will withstand young movements for years. As you can see, even the most fruitful music budget would need years to build an instrument library.

 Instruments still needed:

• All instruments have been purchased! Woo!

I will be updating donors regularly on the progress of my observations and research through regular postings on an education blog that is still under construction. I will also be sending pictures and videos of students in action to donors with instruments that they have sponsored. Thank you so much for your investment in the current and future generations of early childhood music education.