The Crisis in EY Music
Early years music is failing our children—from preschools and nurseries to childminder settings and even early school reception classes. Too often, it's reduced to a handful of repetitive nursery rhymes sung half-heartedly at circle time, with no structure, progression, or understanding of its developmental power.
Despite a huge body of research in the importance of exposing children to music durign key developmental stages, from birth to age 5, in Early Years child development training, Music is ignored. Music just isn't embeded in the EY practicioners training or skill set.
Why We Must Fix This
The under-5 brain is in its most rapid growth phase—synapses form at explosive rates, and musical experiences shape neural pathways for life. Without quality, structured music now, children miss critical boosts in:
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Language and vocabulary through song contours and rhyme.
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Motor coordination via rhythm and movement.
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Confidence and self-regulation from turn-taking and expression.
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Early maths via pulse, metre, and sequence.
Delays compound: neurodivergent children fall further behind without inclusive, sensory-rich music; disadvantaged settings perpetuate gaps. We can't wait for top-down change—childminders, carers, and parents must step in today with practical tools to deliver music that truly develops the whole child.
What's Going Wrong
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Inadequate delivery: Sessions lack sequence—no building from listening and exploring sounds to rhythm, pitch, or ensemble skills. Music becomes "filler" rather than a core subject.
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Undertrained adults: Childminders, carers, and nursery staff get little to no CPD on musical pedagogy. They rely on instinct or YouTube, missing opportunities to link music to EYFS areas like communication, physical development, and personal/social/emotional growth.
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Tokenistic approach: Unlike language or maths, music is treated as optional "fun," ignoring evidence that it wires the brain for pattern recognition, emotional regulation, and literacy foundations before age 5.
Maria Moon Music CIC draws on over 50 years of music research (from Edwin Gordon's audiation studies in the 1970s to modern neuroimaging) proving music from birth transforms child development.
Accelerated Brain Development
Music training matures auditory pathways faster, boosting sound processing, language, speech perception, and reading skills by age 5—as shown in USC's 5-year study on young instrumentalists.
Cognitive & Pre-Reading Foundations
Rhythm synchronisation enhances phonological awareness and pattern recognition, directly linking to literacy and early maths via pulse/metre—backed by decades of neural synchrony research.
Motor & Physical Skills
Structured music builds fine/gross motor precision (e.g., instrument play, clapping games), strengthening neural connections for coordination and writing readiness.
Social-Emotional Growth
Group singing/turn-taking fosters prosocial skills, emotional regulation, and confidence—effects strongest for neurodivergent or disadvantaged children.
Our Strengths: 50 Years of Research-Backed EY Music
OUR WHY
We exist to infuse early years care provision with quality music learning and teaching. Too many EY professionals tell us they lack the knowledge to do this confidently. Do they don't. We need to change that.
Advancing EY provision with Music
OUR MISSION
Design and deliver accessible on demand training and activities for childminders, day carers, nurseries, and home-educating parents.
From Core EY music to Cross-Curricular we cover it all.
Hands-on on the job Learning
OUR VISION
Every childminder, carer, and parent feels empowered to deliver confident, child-led early years music that supports whole-child development under 5. Develop a community of carers who develop children with music.
Join us today
Rhys-Jones Family, UK
“Maria, you have made such an impact in our two boys lives and in their engagement with music. We are grateful for your fantastic music lessons.
We will miss you so much! "
Lauren and Jamie
Billericay, England
"The community of library children visiting our sessions of "bringing books to life" had a different life and impact with Maria's highly expressive music sessions, that combined story telling, scarfs, balls and age appropriate instruments. Absolutely amazing to witness!."
Amy and Lilly, Southend, UK
“Maria, is a musician, studio professional and a qualified Vocal Graduate with TCL. She has decades of experience delivering quality early years sessions and fun sessions filled with creativity. Even shy kids join in and participate.”
Safeguarding learners, children and staff
The safety and wellbeing of our EY practicioners, learners, children and staff is paramount. All Maria Moon Music CIC staff, volunteers and crew are qualified caregivers or music teachers who hold a DBS enhanced certificate. In addition our organization's founder has undertaken Safeguarding and First Aid Training.
Contact Form
We are based in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, UK