In early childhood, the most important period of learning and human development, young children often achieve developmental milestones in a short time. Learning from Young Children: Research in Early Childhood Music presents research on the importance of fostering musical growth during this period. These studies discuss: · applying brain research to young children's musical growth · music in the home and child-care contexts · musical characteristics of the young child · language acquisition as a lens on music learning · music as a foundation for communication · parental conceptions of the role of music in early childhood · music as a pathway for building community · using music to elicit vocalizations in children with special needs With research designs ranging from statistical, mixed methods, survey, content analysis, and case study, to philosophical inquiry, this book will help practitioners base their practice in research and offers a wide range of information for scholars and researchers studying early childhood music learning and development.

"Well written and accessible, the book covers important topics in a respectful, relevant manner and allows research to inform instruction in the early childhood-music classroom.... Summing up: Highly recommended. Upper division undergraduates through faculty and professionals; general readers." - CHOICE

"This collection of studies in early childhood music education is a result of the 2009 conference convened by a National Association for Music Education Special Research Interest Group....This book includes much substance of value. The first few chapters are an excellent case for the sound-to-sign-totheory approach of instrumental music instruction." - Music Educators Journal