Popular music, often described as the ‘soundtrack of the masses’ (Frith, 1996), is defined not by a fixed genre or style, but by its broad appeal and accessibility. It reflects the ever-changing tastes, social dynamics and cultural shifts that shape society. For example, 18th-century Italian opera, once enjoyed by the masses, was popular music of its time, just as hip-hop, trap, and neo-soul (and so much more) dominate today.
This adaptability means that popular music is continually evolving, incorporating new influences and offering an invaluable tool for connecting with young learners in music education today.
In Places and Purposes of Popular Music Education: Perspectives from the Field (Powell & Smith, 2022), I discuss the importance of incorporating popular music into educational contexts to bridge the gap between formal curriculums and the musical interests of young people. Blending diverse musical influences fosters inclusion and creates relatable entry points for students from various backgrounds, enabling them to engage with music that resonates with their personal experiences and cultural identities.
The TikTok boom and changing landscapes
The TikTok boom, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic, has drastically altered the music children are exposed to. With more time spent at home, children began listening to music not just on their own, but alongside parents and siblings, as many were also working or schooling from home.
This merging of generational and cultural influences has led to a diversification of musical tastes. Children once again have access to a wealth of genres through viral challenges and trends, broadening their musical horizons and shaping what they listen to in new ways. This shift in how children are discovering and engaging with music prompted me to explore how popular music can be creatively integrated into early years education.
In my reflective paper ‘Using Popular Music in Early Years Education’ (Creative Futures, 2020), I explored strategies for incorporating popular music into the classroom. One of the key findings was that educators must actively engage with contemporary popular music to stay connected with the music children are experiencing. Practitioners need to immerse themselves in the current cultural landscape, adopting new ways of discovering music and learning from young people's musical preferences.
Tips for finding popular music for early years
Finding the right music for early years settings requires some thought and planning. While the internet is an excellent resource, particularly platforms like YouTube, it's essential to curate and prepare your playlist beforehand. The unpredictability of online videos can be a challenge, especially with the ever-changing landscape of viral trends. Creating a playlist on a music app such as Spotify allows for better control and personalisation of the songs you want to include, which can be sorted by moods or colours rather than strict genres. This more flexible approach encourages creative freedom and gives children the opportunity to experience music that doesn't have to be confined to a specific box.
I once encountered a nursery setting where ‘Mission Impossible’ was used for tidying up. The fast tempo of the track created an energetic atmosphere, encouraging children to complete tasks efficiently. It wasn't just about getting the job done; it added a layer of excitement and fun, which helped turn a mundane task into an engaging experience. It's moments like these that highlight how popular music can be used in creative ways to support learning.
Apps such as Launchpad, which allows users to build beats and layer different musical elements, can be great for helping young children understand rhythm and structure. By experimenting with different layers of sound, children can develop a deeper understanding of how music is constructed, and it gives them the space to be creative and express themselves through music.
Using rap music in nursery settings
Rap music offers unique opportunities to engage children with rhythm, language, and creativity. One approach I use is adapting familiar nursery rhyme lyrics to rap beats, which introduces children to different musical styles while encouraging participation and creativity.
To add variety and excitement, try using different types of rap beats. For example, a chilled, melodic Mac Miller beat can contrast nicely with a more rhythmic and punchy Dr Dre beat. These variations not only expose children to different musical textures but also give them the chance to experience how rhythm, pulse and mood can shift within a song. Encouraging the children to stamp their feet or clap along with the beat helps them internalise rhythm through movement, which is an effective way to connect physical and musical learning.
A further extension of this activity involves using stretchy materials like four-way stretch lycra (which comes in many fun colours), or even giant elastic bands, scrunchies or parachutes. By holding onto the stretchy material in a circle, children can create a sense of collective movement, encouraging them to mirror or echo each other's movements. Once they've grasped the concept of working together, the group can experiment with more complex collective movements, such as stretching the lycra to the beat or moving up and down with the music. This shared experience of rhythm and pulse fosters group unity and a positive learning atmosphere.
One particularly fun variation of this exercise is to allow the lycra to stretch and then ‘snap’ when the beat drops, giving children a tangible sense of musical tension and release. This playful approach helps children experience rhythm in a way that connects music to their bodies, while also fostering collaboration and positive shared musical learning experiences.
Staying connected to popular music: a mindset of curiosity and punk pedagogy
Staying connected to popular music in a way that truly resonates with children requires more than just keeping up with trends. It's about maintaining a mindset of curiosity and being open to exploring new ideas. Engaging with popular music involves connecting with your own inner child and staying receptive to new influences. As an early years music practitioner, I find that staying curious helps me remain creative and enables me to relate better to young learners.
Engaging with apps such as TikTok, exploring trending pop stars, and learning about the evolving language and trends in music can help practitioners understand the world of today's children. Being curious about different generations' musical tastes also promotes empathy and creativity. Engaging with diverse communities and cultures allows educators to continually learn and adapt, making our teaching more dynamic and responsive to the children we work with.
The punk mindset isn't confined to the music alone – it's more about an approach to life and learning. It encourages curiosity, an openness to new ideas, and a willingness to challenge norms unapologetically. As Nadia Javed notes, in ‘I Am Punk by Nature’ (Javed, 2018), we reflect the punk ethos by embracing authenticity and rejecting societal expectations. This mindset aligns with the idea of self-directed learning, where individuals are empowered to follow their own paths, discover new ideas, and act with conviction. In the context of early years education, adopting this approach helps foster a flexible, inclusive environment where educators and children alike can explore, create, and express themselves freely, without inhibitions. By challenging traditional norms and embracing a punk-inspired attitude, we can enhance the learning process and create meaningful connections with students.
Conclusion
Incorporating popular music into early years education allows children to connect with music that reflects their own experiences and cultural identities. By embracing the diversity of musical styles, from rap and hip-hop to classical and pop, educators can create an inclusive and engaging learning environment. Staying curious, embracing new music, and reflecting on how children interact with it are essential for making music education relevant and accessible. Ultimately, popular music offers a unique opportunity for young learners to explore rhythm, creativity, and self-expression in ways that resonate with their lives.
