Includes bibliographical references (p. [145]-150) and index.

pt. 1. Musical behaviour -- 1. Born musical? -- Born gifted? -- Born musical? -- Music : a fundamental human activity -- Conclusion -- 2. Musical development -- What counts as music? -- Factors influencing development -- Views of children as learners -- What do we know about children's musical development? -- Creative development -- Gifted and talented -- Conclusion -- pt. 2. Music in education -- 3. The music curriculum -- Music as a language -- Improvisation : the 'talk' of music -- Aspects of the curriculum -- The statutory curriculum -- Evaluating approaches to music education -- Conclusion -- 4. Music as a tool for learning -- Cognitive development -- Music across the curriculum -- Personal, social and emotional development -- Communication, language and literacy -- Creative development -- Mathematical development -- Physical development -- Knowledge and understanding of the world -- Conclusion -- pt. 3. The role of adults -- 5. Creating a musical environment -- A language-rich environment -- A music-rich environment -- Creating a musical atmosphere -- An environment to support music learning -- The environment and the curriculum -- Conclusion -- 6. Intervention and support -- Developing confidence in ourselves as musicians -- Observing children -- Identifying musically gifted children -- Planning -- Integrating the three types of activity -- Assessing, recording and evaluating learning -- Supportive parents and carers -- Inclusion -- Conclusion.

With practical guidance for parents, teachers and other early years practitioners who are concerned with young children's musical development, the authors of this book highlight the relationship between music and the development of communication, the expression of emotion and playfulness.