The Role of Music and Movement in Early Childhood Development

August 8th, 2025 / By Olivia Maitre

Early childhood is a remarkable period of rapid physical, cognitive, and emotional growth. During these first formative years, children’s brains and bodies absorb and process a remarkable amount of new information and experiences every single day. It’s a critical window for laying the foundations of learning, social skills, and healthy development. Among the most universally beloved experiences for young children are music and movement. Whether it’s the simple joy of clapping along to a favorite tune, moving like animals to a lively beat, or dancing with loved ones, music and movement spark delight in almost every child. But beyond the obvious fun, these activities are packed with developmental benefits.

In this post, we’ll explore how music and rhythm support motor skill development in early childhood, why dance is so effective for emotional expression, and how families and educators can bring these powerful tools into daily routines with simple, engaging activities.

1. The Benefits of Music and Rhythm in Motor Skill Development

One of the primary ways that music and movement benefit children is through the development of their motor skills. Motor skill growth in early childhood is foundational, not just for physical health and play, but also for academic readiness and social interaction.

Structured, Repetitive Movements Fuel Growth

Music and rhythm-based activities encourage children to use both fine and gross motor skills. Simple actions: clapping hands, tapping feet, bouncing, stomping, or marching in a circle, make it fun for kids to move their bodies in purposeful ways. These repetitive, structured movements naturally build balance, strength, and coordination, all while helping children gain greater control over their bodies.

The Science of Keeping the Beat

Keeping time with music by clapping, beating drums, or swaying to a song, supports hand-eye coordination and cognitive processing. Research has found that children who can maintain a steady beat often show better self-regulation, improved timing, and even readiness in academic areas such as reading and math. Rhythm activities teach sequencing, pattern recognition, and concentration.

‘Music’ Box, Wonder Range

Tools for Exploration

Bringing rhythm instruments into play deepens these benefits. Simple percussion instruments like drums, shakers, and rhythm sticks give children new ways to explore cause and effect, strengthen their hands and fingers, and experiment with sound and timing. Action songs (“If You’re Happy and You Know It,” for example) are powerful opportunities for practicing motor planning and control.

Research suggests that music education may support the development of early literacy and reading skills in children, possibly due to the link between rhythm perception and language processing. However, recent reviews note that results across studies are mixed, and the exact impact of different musical activities, such as rhythm versus singing, can be hard to isolate. While the connection is promising, more research is needed to fully understand how music best supports early literacy.

2. Dance and Emotional Expression

Music and movement are not only good for developing brains and bodies; they are also profoundly important for emotional development in early childhood.

Movement as Emotional Language

Dance gives young children an invaluable outlet for emotional expression, especially for feelings they may not yet have the words to share. Through movement, kids can express happiness, excitement, frustration, fear, or even calmness in a healthy and socially appropriate way.

Building Emotional Intelligence and Social Skills

Research shows that dance and expressive movement activities can help children develop greater emotional intelligence, empathy, and self-confidence. Moving to music with others encourages self-awareness, teaches boundaries, and helps children process and release emotions constructively. In group settings, dance promotes social skills such as turn-taking, cooperation, and a sense of belonging.

The Joy of Belonging

Group dance, whether in a classroom or at home, offers shared joy and strengthens social bonds. Kids learn to pay attention to others, imitate new movements, and communicate nonverbally. For children who might feel shy or overwhelmed in social situations, moving and dancing can offer a safe space to participate and be seen.

Recent research has highlighted that rhythm and meter, central aspects of music, are closely linked not only to children’s musical development but also to their broader cognitive abilities, including skills outside of music. From infancy onward, children demonstrate a growing capacity for processing rhythm, and this ability appears to be related to cognitive domains such as language, executive function, and motor skills. While evidence has shown positive associations between rhythmic abilities and cognitive development, researchers are still exploring the underlying mechanisms that explain this connection. One emerging hypothesis is that the ability to predict and process patterns, shared by both music rhythm and cognitive tasks, may serve as a bridge linking rhythmic skills to cognitive growth. However, more targeted studies are needed to clarify exactly how rhythm processing supports various aspects of early childhood development.

3. Activity Suggestions for Home and Classroom

Music and movement for early childhood can be woven into routine, both at home and in educational settings. Here are some evidence-based activities, and their developmental benefits, to inspire your next round of play:

4. Tips for Caregivers and Educators

Making the most of music and movement for young children is easy with a few thoughtful strategies:

• Match activities to developmental stage: Infants benefit from gentle swaying and lullabies; toddlers love simple action songs; preschoolers enjoy more complex dances and group games.
• Be enthusiastic: Children are more likely to participate when adults show excitement and model involvement.
• Balance routine and spontaneity: Use music and movement during structured times (like circle time) and encourage spontaneous dance breaks or rhythm play.
• Observe and respond: Watch how children react: continue what they enjoy, and gently adapt or stop if something causes discomfort or overstimulation.

5. Conclusion

Music and movement are cornerstones of holistic child development, supporting the growth of body, mind, and heart. From building strong motor skills to offering safe spaces for emotional exploration, these joyful activities provide long-lasting benefits for every child. Whether you’re a caregiver, parent, or educator, weaving music and movement into daily routines is a simple and effective way to nurture healthy development, and to ensure childhood is filled with the sound, rhythm, and motion of joyful learning.