Let’s face the facts.

FACT # 1: Children have a right to quality education.

The Universal Rights of A Child [UNICEF] states that children should be given the opportunity to be in a school system that nourishes them, encourages learning, builds self-esteem and inspires them to be life-long learners.

FACT # 2: Not all Filipino children have access to quality education.

Marginalized children are less likely to have the opportunity to learn under favorable conditions. The education industry faces pressing concerns such as teacher shortages, lack of facilities and inaccessible communities. This means children today can experience being in a classroom of 70 students to 1 teacher, inconsistent class schedules, poor learning conditions and a host of other concerns.

FACT # 3: Children can learn a lot from what they see or hear, and they learn a lot from the music that they listen to.

Music is a powerful teaching tool that children respond to instantly. Research shows that music exposure in the early years has lifelong effects on a child. In the preschool stage, music helps children strengthen neural pathways, enhance literacy and build life skills that they will carry into adulthood.

FACT # 4: Children need to be exposed to good content and positive messages.

Today, music is available everywhere. Children from every walk of life sing–and even dance–along to the songs they hear. Songs are powerful. The question that needs to be asked is:

“What are they listening to?”

So…why music?

• Music keeps children interested in learning. It makes lessons more engaging and fun!
• Music helps students understand other concepts better (such as history, math, science and reading).
• It helps share ideas across generations, cultures and communities. Music also helps students connect to each other better, breaking barriers such as language and social class.
• Music develops skills such as critical thinking, problem solving, communication and self-discipline.
• Studies have shown that students in the arts are found to be more cooperative with their teachers and peers, are better able to express ideas, and are more self-confident.

Why NOT music?

Filipino children, by the numbers:

42,152 = Total number of public preschools in the country

961,397 = Total number of enrolled preschoolers in 2007

1:35 = Mean average teacher-to-student ratio in public schools