From quicker learning to sharper thinking: How rhythm and song nurture your child’s potential

Perfectly in sync with the beat, preschooler Gillian Tan marched along with the band while holding her flag up high. The then six-year-old was performing as a colour guard in a sports fiesta

organised by Kinderland in 2023

.

“It was a very touching moment to see how a kindergartener could do all of that,” says her mother, Ms Yeo Peiqin. “To march is not easy, let alone while holding the flag, moving with the music, and knowing where to go as a group.”

That’s the power of musical learning, which Kinderland has infused into

its signature Children’s Music Programme

since 1978.

Research from Boston Children’s Hospital shows that musical activities, especially singing,

boost the brain’s ability to multitask

. Dr Carol Loy, senior director of curriculum and professional development at Kinderland, explains: “Music activates three different parts of the brain simultaneously.

“These include the language centre, hearing centre and rhythmic motor control centre. This not only evokes emotions but creates heightened awareness and mental acuity.”

When children sing nursery rhymes, they weave together sounds and words, building neural connections that enhance early literacy skills and speech fluency. 

Nursery-level children start with basic percussion and rhythmic patterns, while kindergarteners engage in more complex activities. Through a combination of demonstration, singing, rhythm clapping and musical storytelling, children develop both musical appreciation and essential life skills.

Music to the “years”

The benefits of music education extend far beyond musical ability.

Studies show that children who learn to play keyboard instruments

develop stronger reasoning and motor skills, as the practice activates brain patterns that help them analyse visual information and recognise relationships more effectively.

This holistic development is evident in students like Gillian. Though she was not musically inclined at first, Kinderland’s programme not only sparked her interest in piano lessons but unexpectedly enhanced her Mandarin proficiency. 

Despite not having a Chinese-speaking environment at home, her exposure to Chinese songs and the lessons at Kinderland have given her a good experience and impression of the Chinese language. 

This helps her to embrace learning Mandarin and not reject it, which is helpful, especially now that she is taking the higher Mother Tongue subject at Tao Nan School. Impressed by her development, Ms Yeo enrolled her two younger daughters – Janelle, five, and Raelynn, three – at Kinderland as well. 

This multifaceted approach to learning is something Ms Elvia Husein, assistant curriculum specialist (music), sees in action every day: “Music is a powerful and versatile tool in teaching. 

“Through a blend of visual demonstrations, listening exercises, singing, rhythm clapping, movement, storytelling, and musical games, we engage children across different learning styles. This comprehensive approach promotes their cognitive, emotional, and social development.”

Nurturing through experience

At the heart of Kinderland’s success are dedicated educators like Ms Fu Cong, who has been with the preschool for more than a decade. Her long tenure speaks to Kinderland’s commitment to both student and teacher development. 

“On our uniform, the logo represents a big tree that both protects and nourishes our children and teachers,” Ms Fu reflects. “That is why I’ve stayed here for so long. It’s like the relationship between fish and water. Fish can’t live without water and water is a more vibrant body with the existence of fish.”

Teachers at Kinderland are supported by extensive resources developed by in-house child development and early education specialists, in consultation with experts including Beijing Normal University. 

The preschool’s commitment to professional growth includes bi-annual development days that combine holistic elements like team bonding, self-care, wellness activities and educational sharing sessions.

A bilingual bonus

This professional support enables teachers like Ms Fu to effectively implement Kinderland’s bilingual education approach. She explains how simple Chinese melodies like “Two Tigers” help children naturally absorb the language.

The children even re-enact Chinese folktales, making learning more engaging and memorable. Recently, Ms Fu guided Janelle, Ms Yeo’s middle child, in bringing to life the story of Chang’e and Hou Yi for the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Beyond traditional language lessons, Kinderland has integrated music throughout its curriculum. Their comprehensive approach includes other innovative in-house designed programmes such as KinderFit, Literacy through IT, Coding and Character Development – all enhanced by musical elements that make learning more engaging and effective.

For parents like Ms Yeo, the results speak for themselves. Her middle child, Janelle, can independently sing complex educational songs about scientific concepts like the water cycle, that include advanced terminology like evaporation, condensation and precipitation. 

This practical demonstration of learning through music exemplifies how Kinderland’s approach makes even challenging concepts accessible and memorable for young minds.

Another parent, Ms Khaw Chun Ting, chose Kinderland for her two young sons based on her own positive experience as an alumni. “The environment and school curriculum is a great balance of learning and fun. My sons enjoy the music exposure very much as they often engage in song and dance at home, and also pick up Mandarin this way,” she shares. 

Learn more about how music can enhance your child’s early years at Kinderland.