“How touching it is that man has this instinct, this joy and sentiment for music. Through the little children these things, art and music, remain forever with humanity – over time music has been recombined and developed throughout humanity.” -Maria Montessori The 1946 London Lectures, p. 103

Through observation, Dr. Maria Montessori came to awareness of the importance music has in the Children's House. To give the children opportunities for exploration and self-expression through music, she called on the help of Anna Maccheroni to develop a material that was attractive, scientifically precise, and able to be manipulated. Thus, the Musical Bells were created.

Engaging in musical activities has many benefits to the young child that is still developing their body and brain. We see improvement in mood and stress reduction. Music also helps stimulate the formation of brain chemicals, like dopamine and oxytocin, which encourage sharing, empathy, and trust. Music boosts concentration and productivity, improving learning, developing spatial intelligence; and improving vocabulary and creativity.

“We tend to think that the realm of music is the privileged area of some happy few. Experience has taught us, however, that if offered the right kind of education from a very early age onwards, anyone is capable of entering the realm of music..." -Maria Montessori The Montessori Approach to Music, p. 1

The Musical Bells provide the child with a sensorial experience to develop their auditory sense by isolating the quality of pitch. The children experience the progression of sound through the vibrations and develop more awareness of vibrational changes. The bells also offer the child opportunities to use music for personal expression. As the children work with the bells, they move, manipulate and work through gradation, experimenting with the vibrations of the sounds they hear.

“It is movement that interests the child in music, and it is by movement that the very tiny child can arrive at understanding music with considerable delicacy.” -Maria Montessori The Montessori Approach to Music, p. 32

Through the related materials that are listed, the children will not only have a sensorial experience with the bells, they will also have an introduction to music literacy.

“Reading music is like reading words...the music that is read can be played on the bells or on any other instrument.” -Maria Montessori The Montessori Approach to Music, p. 37

Music is all around us. Some believe that singing may have even come before the spoken word. There is also some evidence that musical instruments existed during the times of the Neanderthals. Music is evident in every culture all around the world. As Montessorians, we want to provide the child with an environment rich with opportunities and experiences on all levels- practical life, geography, science, math, language and music. We are asking for donations so that the Children's House at Organic Beginnings Montessori School can purchase the Musical Bells. “The satisfaction which they find in their work has given them a grace and ease like that which comes from music.”

-Maria Montessori The Discovery of the Child, p. 87

To be as transparent as possible, we are listing each material that is needed and the price of them so that you know exactly where your donations are going.

Bells Set with mallet and damper- $1,074.90

Bells Keyboard- $49.65

Bells Staff Board- $33.65

Bells Staff Board Set- $49.35

Music Signs and Notes- $158.85

Bells Support Material Set- $56.65

Tax- $98.16

Shipping Costs- $213.46

Thank you to everyone for your donations. We know the children are going to be so excited about this new work in the classroom!