Language + Movement Fostering Steady Competence In Young Children Analysis

In the article, “Language+ Movement: fostering steady competence in young children”, Ann McFarland discusses what the importance of beat competence is in music education and aptitude. Explaining that music aptitude is highest when a child is born and then either stays or declines based on a child’s meaningful music experience. Therefore, it can be said that music aptitude is a product of nature, what a child is born with, and nature, how we foster that natural aptitude. Activities that foster rhythmic aptitude can include hopscotch, jumping rope, and chanting nursery rhymes. McFarland proceeds to tell us that movement is essential for the development of rhythm accuracy and therefore is an important part of elementary school music curriculum.