Music, Dancing, and Song in the Mercer County Library System

Most people would agree that music enhances their quality of life.  Music can relax us, or it can make us want to dance.  It can stimulate our imagination, make us laugh, make us cry, and bring us joy.  But how important is music to the healthy development of every human being, especially children?  If it is important, should we be looking for ways to incorporate music into our lives and the lives of our children?  What do you think?  Can the library help?

Many articles have been written on the importance of music in early childhood education.  Some of the benefits that I have read about include:

• Exposure to music is beneficial to the left brain where language processing takes place
• Music fosters creativity, self-expression, and self-esteem
• Music promotes parent-child bonding through rocking, swaying, singing and dancing
• Music encourages movement, rhythm and timing, which aids in gross and fine motor development
• Music fosters complex listening skills.

These are just a few of the benefits that may result by introducing music into a child’s life.  Some researchers have concluded that music has the ability to strengthen the connection between the body and brain, so they work more efficiently as a team.  Dancing and moving to music helps develop better motor skills, and singing along aids in processing the sound of tones and words.  This in turn can help children speak more clearly and develop a larger vocabulary.  Social and emotional skills are also strengthened.

Since music can be such a positive force in your child’s life, can the library help?  In fact, libraries have been introducing music and movement to children for many years.  Most story time programs incorporate music in some way.  Besides listening to the story, children are encouraged to sing songs and to add motions.   In recent years many libraries have added music and dance programs as part of their regular library schedule.

Here are some of the regular music programs offered by MCLS Youth librarians:   Hopewell—Toddler Rock; Lawrence Headquarters—Movers and Shakers; Robbinsville—Romp & Stomp; Ewing—Wiggle, Jingle, Mingle & Giggle; Twin Rivers—Music Mondays; Hickory Corner—Dance Party; and West Windsor—Kids Sing & Dance.

Besides programs offered by youth librarians, the MCLS libraries also hire musical performers as part of their regular schedules.  The various Friends Groups of the libraries sponsor these events.  Here are some of the musical performers that can often be found at your local library:  Pat McKinley, Kim Yarson, Miss Amy, Singalong Pete, Tim Hoh’s Music, and Kids’ Music Round.

This summer, the Mercer County Library System will offer many music events as part of the Summer Reading Program, themed “Libraries Rock!”  Here is a sample of some of the special musical programs during the summer:

• Outdoor Concert with Kurt Gallagher—West Windsor Branch
• Zumba for Kids by Penn Medicine Princeton Health—Hickory Corner Branch
• Family Zumba—West Windsor Branch
• Alex & the Kaleidoscope—West Windsor Branch
• Concert for Kids with Jumpin’ Jamie—Lawrence Headquarters
• YO YO Play Date—West Windsor Branch
• Bollywood/Hip Hop Dance Workshop—Hickory Corner Branch
• Bollywood Fusion Dance—Hightstown Branch
• Concert with Tot Tunes+--Hickory Corner Branch
• Outdoor Family Concert with Mr. Ray—West Windsor Branch

        Please note:  some of these programs may take place at more than one branch.
For details about all of these programs, and many more, check our website at www.mcl.org

- Susan Flacks, West Windsor Branch