| The Kodaly Method is an approach to music | | | | of its familiarity to children through real-life musical |
| education, developed in Hungary by the Hungarian | | | | experiences . |
| composer and educator Zoltan Kodaly. | | | | He felt that children are more sensitive to art |
| In order for a child to realize his or her full | | | | than adults, and would therefore only reach their |
| potential, it is necessary that he or she begin | | | | full potential through the use of the finest music. |
| musical training at an early age. Kodály | | | | Kodály claimed that exposure to the inferior |
| emphasized that children must learn to read music | | | | 'educational music' used in schools as a child would |
| at the same time as they learn to read language. | | | | prevent one from being able to appreciate |
| Kodály felt that children between ages three | | | | high-quality music as an adult. |
| and seven are most sensitive to music, and | | | | A child's brain goes through a process of |
| therefore good musical instruction is crucial at this | | | | developing and maturing, its weight almost tripling |
| time if the musical ear is to be fully developed. | | | | by the age of three. A baby's brain is very fragile |
| Kodály recommended that musical training | | | | until it becomes covered with myelin, a substance |
| begin no later than in Kindergarten and the | | | | that insulates the brain. When a baby has been |
| primary grades. | | | | profusely shaken, it can actually shake the brain |
| Also central to the Kodály Method is the | | | | around in the skull and damage areas of the brain |
| philosophy that, as a child naturally learns his | | | | (Shaken Baby syndrome). While synapses are |
| mother tongue before learning foreign languages, | | | | continuing to develop during the first year, the |
| so should he learn his musical mother tongue, that | | | | brain builds the potential to learn. During the first |
| is, the folk music of his native language, before | | | | three years, the brain is storing information and |
| learning foreign music. Kodály believed that | | | | memories that will be the foundation for future |
| the use of native folk music is most valuable in | | | | learning. If this foundation is blemished, or stifled, it |
| helping children develop basic music skills because | | | | can affect the entire life span of the child. |