The Oxford Handbook of Early Childhood Learning and Development in Music

Investigation of the role of music in early life and learning has been somewhat fragmented, with studies being undertaken within a range of fields with little apparent conversation across disciplinary boundaries, and with an emphasis on pre-schoolers’ and school-aged childrens’ learning and engagement. The Oxford Handbook of Early Childhood Learning and Development in Music brings together leading researchers in infant and early childhood cognition, music education, music therapy, neuroscience, cultural and developmental psychology, and music sociology to interrogate questions of how our capacity for music develops from birth, and its contributions to learning and development. Researchers in cultural psychology and sociology of musical childhoods investigate those factors that shape children’s musical learning and development and the places and spaces in which children encounter and engage with music. These issues are complemented with consideration of the policy environment at local, national and global levels in relation to music early learning and development and the ways in which these shape young children’s music experiences and opportunities. The volume also explores issues of music provision and developmental contributions for children with Special Education Needs, children living in medical settings and participating in music therapy, and those living in sites of trauma and conflict. Consideration of these environments provides a context to examine music learning and development in family, community and school settings including general and specialized school environments. Authors trace the trajectories of development within and across cultures and settings and in that process identify those factors that facilitate or constrain children’s early music learning and development.

Margaret S. Barrett is Head of the Sir Zelman Cowen School of Music at Monash University. Current research investigates music early learning and development, pedagogies of creativity and expertise, collaborative creativity, ecopolitics in music education, music and gender, and career pathways in and through music. This research has been funded by the Australian Research Council, numerous industry partners, the British Council, and the Academy of Finland. She has served as President of ISME, WAAE, APSMER, and ASME and as Board Director of the Australian Music Centre, Queensland Symphony Orchestra, and Queensland Music Festival.

Graham F. Welch has held the UCL Institute of Education (formerly University of London) Established Chair of Music Education since 2001. He was a full-time generalist Primary teacher in London for 14 years, and spent over two decades as a part-time professional singer. He has worked in universities since 1985. He is Chair of the Society for Education, Music and Psychology Research (SEMPRE) and is a Past President of the International Society for Music Education (ISME). Publications number over 400.