How Reading Literacy and Music Literacy Go Hand in Hand

 

How Reading Literacy and Music Literacy Go Hand in Hand

When a child starts recognizing pictures in a book, it's a big deal because it shows they are beginning to understand that symbols—like words and pictures—stand for real things and ideas. This is the start of something really important. 

As they learn more, their excitement grows because they realize that this is how they can express their thoughts and needs to the people around them. 

When we talk about "literacy," it's not just about reading and writing. It's about being able to understand and use language in all its forms—whether that's speaking, reading, writing, or even listening. 

Literate kids understand that sounds, letters, pictures, and ideas are all connected and meaningful.

But what does all of this have to do with music?

There's actually a very strong connection between learning to read and learning music. 

When a child understands that letters and sounds work together to create words and stories, they’re also building the skills they need to understand that musical notes and rhythms work together to create songs. Music helps kids develop important skills like recognizing patterns and paying attention to detail, which are the same skills they use when learning to read. 

Another key similarity between reading words and reading music is the way both require understanding that symbols on a page represent something meaningful. Just like how a child learns to read words from left to right, they also learn to read music in the same direction, following the notes across the staff. 

In both cases, they’re interpreting symbols—whether letters or notes—and understanding that they stand for sounds and ideas. This process of decoding and making sense of symbols is foundational in both reading and music.

In addition, the rhythm and timing a child experiences in music can help with language development. Kids with a good sense of rhythm often find it easier to pick up on the flow of language and understand how words come together in sentences. This understanding of rhythm helps with something called phonemic awareness, which is crucial for learning to read.

So, when a child is engaged in music, they're not just having fun—they're also building a strong foundation for reading and language skills that will benefit them for years to come.

FUN FACT: An independent research firm found that preschoolers who experienced just 30 minutes a week of Kindermusik demonstrated 32% greater gains in language and literacy skills.