People of all ages reap physical, emotional & social benefits from sharing their voices. It's just something humans are hardwired to do. But the preschool years, in particular, are an important window where the rewards of singing are super-charged. Indeed, singing is one of the most effective and accessible ways to support a child’s development in 3 key areas.
Cognitive Development & Learning
Emotional Wellbeing & Mental Health
Social Skills & Confidence
Brain Boost: How Singing Supports Cognitive Development
Preschool is a crucial time for brain development, and singing plays a big role in helping build essential cognitive skills.
Singing is a “whole brain” activity - when we sing we activate 10 different areas across the brain. This builds & strengthens neural connections and makes learning more efficient. (On a side note, this is also why singing is an important part of healthy ageing and an effective intervention for dementia patients)
Singing involves pattern recognition, rhythm, and repetition, all of which help with early literacy and numeracy skills.
The Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (2015) discovered that early exposure to music-making, including singing, in the home in preschool years was linked to children being more “school ready”. These children had better vocabulary, pronunciation, comprehension and even numeracy skills compared to their peers who weren’t involved in regular singing & music-making. (read more). Singing and being sung to helps children identify sounds, break down words, and eventually decode them when they learn to read.
One key study from the University of Helsinki found that children who participated in regular singing activities showed enhanced memory and concentration skills. This translated into a significant difference in both literacy and numeracy skills, compared to children who didn’t sing.
Singing for Emotional Well-Being and Mental Health
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare reports 1 in 7 children aged 4-17 has experienced a mental health disorder. Sadly, these figures remain largely unchanged from 2015 to the present. Our young people are also reporting high levels of loneliness. The Australian Childhood Foundation report (2022) revealed that 30% of young children feel lonely.
Singing together is a quick and effective way to support our mental wellbeing - creating connection with others and fostering a sense of belonging in a group. Singing, particularly singing with others, releases all the “happy hormones” - endorphins, seratonin, dopamine and oxytocin. On the other hand, levels of cortisol (“the stress hormone”) drop after singing. And singing requires us to breath in a deep, controlled relaxed manner, which itself is a well-known anti-anxiety measure.
All these biological responses in the body mean that for any age, including young children, singing simultaneously relieves stress, soothes anxiety and elevates the mood. It’s free, accessible 24/7 and has no side effects.
A study from the University of London found that children who joined in group singing activities felt less isolated and more socially connected. The simple act of singing together helped them feel part of a team, boosting their confidence and emotional resilience (read more).
Songs are also a strong link to ancestry and heritage. In the multicultural and multilingual landscape of Australian families, singing together fosters an intergenerational connection and belonging to community. When the language barrier is an obstacle, children can feel emotionally connected to their own cultural identity, and therefore their self identity, through shared songs.
Building Social Skills Through Song
Young children are still learning how to navigate social interactions, and singing provides the perfect environment to practice these skills in a supportive way.
The Sing Up Report (2021) found that children who regularly participated in group singing activities demonstrated improved teamwork and interpersonal skills. The act of listening to others, following a conductor, or blending voices helps children develop patience, turn-taking, and social awareness.
Another study published in Frontiers in Psychology (Singing and Social Identity in Young Children) showed that young kids who regularly sing together develop a stronger social identity and a greater sense of belonging.
Confidence, Communication, and Expression
Many young children (indeed adults too) struggle with shyness and lack of confidence. Singing together is a safe way to be connected with others, without having to “break the ice” with small talk and read social cues. Feeling confident with our singing voices builds self-esteem and encourages us to use our voices in other settings. For young children this shows up as being confident in speaking up in class, setting boundaries or in making new friends.
The Harvard Graduate School of Education study showed children who joined regular singing sessions had stronger interpersonal skills. They developed stronger listening, coordination, and teamwork abilities.
Singing Supports Physical Development Too!
Whilst not a full aerobic workout, singing also contributes positively to children’s physical development. It strengthens the diaphragm, improves breath control, and can even support lung health. Some Australian researchers have explored how singing benefits children with asthma, helping them develop better breath control and lung function.
Singing and movement naturally go hand in hand. “Action songs” (like Heads, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes!) as well as general unstructured movement when singing support gross motor skills (big movements like jumping and clapping) and fine motor skills (small movements like fingerplays), which are essential for writing and coordination later on.
How Parents and Educators Can Encourage Singing
Now that we know how amazing group singing is during early childhood, the next question is: how can we make it a regular part of their lives?
By making it a regular part of our own lives. The benefits of singing don’t stop once we reach adulthood. The way to encourage musicality and singing in young children is to role model it, imperfectly.
Sing Together Every Day: Whether it’s at home, in the car, or during playtime, make singing a fun and natural part of the day.
Use Singing to Transition Between Activities: Songs help kids smoothly shift from one activity to another (e.g., a “tidy up” song before cleaning up toys).
Encourage Call-and-Response Songs: These help develop listening and turn-taking skills.
Join a Community Singing Program: Many local councils and libraries in Australia offer group singing sessions for young children.
Make Up Silly Songs Together: Encourage creativity by inventing songs about daily routines, animals, or imaginary adventures!
Final Thoughts
Group singing in the preschool years isn’t just about making music—it’s about building brains, strengthening hearts, and creating lifelong connections. Whether it’s boosting cognitive skills, supporting emotional well-being, or fostering social bonds, the benefits of singing together are truly remarkable.
References:
Longitudinal Study of Australian Children, Associations Between Early Shared Music Activities and Later Child Outcomes (Read here)
AIHW, Children’s Mental Health Report (Read here)
University of London, The Social Benefits of Group Singing in Children (Read here)
Frontiers in Psychology, Singing and Social Identity in Young Children (Read here)
Sing Up Report (2021), Singing and Social Bonds
Harvard Graduate School of Education, Choir Participation and Its Impact on Interpersonal and Emotional Development in Children Dr Lisa Wong (2014)
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