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. Research based information on teaching, best practices, or structured activities are not accessible to all
who care and educate children
under 5 years of age.
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.
60 Years of Research-Backed Early Years Music
🎵 Inclusive Music Classes in Southend‑on‑Sea & Essex | Singing
Maria Moon Music CIC provides inclusive music classes for children, teens, and young adults across Southend‑on‑Sea and Essex, specialising in homeschooling families, neurodiverse learners, and mental wellbeing through music education.
Drawing on 60+ years of research (from Edwin Gordon’s audiation studies to modern neuroimaging), we integrate Montessori, Kodály, Orff, and Dalcroze methods to prove that music from birth enhances child development.
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🎧 Accelerated Brain Development – Music speeds up auditory and language processing, boosting reading and speech.
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🧠 Cognitive & Literacy Growth – Rhythm and synchrony enhance maths, pattern recognition, and pre‑reading skills.
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🖐️ Motor Skills & Coordination – Clapping, drumming, and instrumental play build fine motor control and writing readiness.
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💛 Mental Wellbeing & Emotional Growth – Group singing supports confidence, emotional healing, and self‑expression.
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🤝 Social Connection & Belonging – Singing together fosters empathy, teamwork, and inclusion — vital for neurodivergent children.
If you’re searching for:
👉 Inclusive music education in Essex
👉 Music for neurodiversity and homeschooling
👉 Mental wellbeing classes for kids in Southend‑on‑Sea
👉 Community music that builds social connection
You’ll find it at Maria Moon Music CIC — where every voice can shine.
📍 Learn more or join local sessions in Southend or Essex today. Online memberships and CPD accredited training for childminders, nannies and home schooling parents are also available on our sister website.
OUR WHY
We see how current provision is failing our children, We exist to infuse early years with pioneering and research informed music learning and teaching. Too many EY professionals tell us they lack the knowledge to do this confidently. So they don't.
We are here to change that.
Advancing EY outcomes with Music
OUR MISSION
To design and deliver the best EY music training and resources for childminders, day carers, nurseries, and home-educating parents.
From Core EY music to Cross-Curricular we cover EYFS music as prep to formal primary music.
The INSET music experience
OUR VISION
That every childminder, carer, and parent feels empowered to deliver confident, early years music activities that support whole-child development from birth to 5 years, and beyond. We want to develop a community of carers who integrate music as an essential part of their tool kit.
Be a part of the movement
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 educators, children & 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