Courses

Music Pre-Education

The language of music and movement are among the first achievements of young children. Through its Music Pre-Education program, our musical kindergarten aims to develop one of the key factors that play a crucial role in the HOLISTIC DEVELOPMENT of children.

Preschool education cannot exist without music and movement activities, as children’s lives would be poorer without musical stimuli and opportunities for kinetic expression. “Home, nature, and school are three influences in children’s lives, and when these combine harmoniously, children experience the beauty of the world in which they can grow, like a plant reaching for the light.”

Music is an essential part of daily life. At Mikros Maestros’ musical kindergarten, music becomes part of children’s everyday experiences through singing, creative movement, playing instruments, and mindful listening.

A well-organized musical environment, such as our musical kindergarten, supports and enhances learning in other areas, including mathematics, oral communication, reading, writing, natural sciences, geography, history, visual arts, and dramatic arts. Rousseau emphasized that music should be introduced in an enjoyable way from an early age due to its significant impact on children’s psychological, emotional, and social development. Psychomotor, cognitive, emotional, and social skills are at a critical stage of development at this age.

Singing, listening to music, playing simple instruments, experimenting with sounds, improvisation, rhythmic phrasing, dramatization, body percussion, and playing Orff percussion instruments all become opportunities for activities connected to other areas of learning. “Studies highlight that linking music with other subjects positively affects students’ overall academic performance, facilitating knowledge retention.” (Papagaris).

Infant Age 1-2 Years

Infants are soothed by gentle songs and musical boxes. An unborn baby is calmed by the mother’s rocking and the melody of her lullabies. At 1-2 years old, children spend hours banging boxes together, listening to the different sounds, or repeatedly dropping a ball just to hear the sound it makes.

From an early age, children need stimuli—musical stimuli—to support their development across all abilities. They require musical expression experiences such as simple song performances, listening to music throughout the day, playing sound-making objects, and hearing classical music during meals, diaper changes (with songs), bedtime (with lullabies), playtime, and physical activity. Up to one year old, babies listen to Bach, Chopin, Beethoven, and Mozart in carefully selected forms—during sleep (where they spend most of their time) and during physical activities to support optimal brain development.

We also use sound-producing objects such as blankets or socks with bells, various materials that create different sounds, and more. From 1-2 years old, early learning experiences are based on sensorimotor activities. Children learn best when they can explore, discover, and imitate within their environment—looking, touching, tasting, and smelling.

Physical education programs are divided into gross motor skills (hands, feet, torso—physical education with music) and fine motor skills (fingers—songs with hand puppets, musical storytelling). A key aspect of sensory-motor development at this age is when infants experience hugging, rocking, tickling, and playing hand and finger games throughout the day.

However, only through repetition can neural communication and coordination be strengthened. Many musical games, sound-producing objects, and sensory play activities are included in Mikros Maestros’ program. Classical music, as well as Greek and international songs, rocking melodies, and lullabies, are incorporated into daily activities.

This age group also loves dancing, as movement is naturally encouraged through songs, storytelling, and dramatization. Children enjoy animal sounds, hide-and-seek games, rhythm-based movement, molding and exploring materials, and engaging with sensory materials.

Toddler Age 2-3 Years

At 2-3 years old, music and body movement (body percussion) continue to play an essential role. Children at this stage develop attention and memory skills. They can repeatedly sing songs in perfect rhythm and maintain steady beats for short periods using both body percussion and Orff instruments.

They begin to sing and tap along to songs, strengthening memory, expression, communication, and movement coordination through rhythmic patterns and verbal expressions. Mikros Maestros integrates music and movement education daily, combining rhythm-based physical education, playing Orff instruments, working on sound stories with the body and instruments, and introducing Boomwhackers and basic notation games.

Children engage their bodies, senses, and creativity simultaneously, developing motor coordination, rhythm, and singing. They also interact with scarves, ribbons, hoops, parachutes, and Montessori-inspired sensory materials. Nature-based materials and sensory play further support learning.

This is a fundamental stage in music education, encompassing the three core aspects:
✔ Listening – Musical Perception – Instrument Exploration
✔ Performance through Movement and Dance
✔ Singing and Vocal Expression
✔ Creativity, Improvisation, and Sound Storytelling

Preschool Age 3-4 Years

At 3-4 years old, children experience a transition phase, becoming more active and engaged in music. They develop a preference for clear rhythms, such as orchestral and folk music, and begin to synchronize multiple movements (e.g., hopping like horses, bending knees, spinning, waving arms, sitting and standing—all in rhythm). They also dramatize songs and enhance their musical skills through more structured group activities.

Mikros Maestros’ Music Pre-Education Program introduces:
🎵 Jazz, Classical, Traditional, and World Music
🎵 Collective Song Learning & Rhythm Training
🎵 Instrument Exploration (Categorized, Not Specific) Using Interactive Boards
🎵 Boomwhacker Games to Learn Musical Notes
🎵 Basic Dance Movements & Cultural Awareness Activities
🎵 Sound Storytelling & Group Dramatization
🎵 Creating Their Own Musical Instruments

🎶 Discover more about our musical activities on Mikros Maestros’ Facebook page!