From the time they are born, human beings are predisposed to learn and enjoy music. Children especially are open to it, and research increasingly has shown that exposure to music and especially participation in making it-by singing and playing simple percussion instruments-is invaluable in helping children's brains develop the "neural bridges" that make them stronger. Music and Early Learning explains why this is so and how experienced kindergarten and preschool teachers use music to help children grow and learn.

Viewers explore:

• How research has shown that all children have music aptitude, that it's highest right after birth, and that it needs stimulation.

• How there is a "window of opportunity" between birth and age nine when music aptitude can be most enhanced.

• How children's brains are not fully developed when they're born and need to build "neural bridges" to mature.

• How music helps build more of these "neural bridges," producing greater intellectual ability and spatial skills.

• How learning that involves both sides of the brain will be more effective.

• How an intellectual exercise-say, learning the alphabet-is easier and more effective when done to music.

• Why children are not ready for logical and symbolic learning at an early age and need to learn in ways that involve the whole body.

• How children have different ways of learning, and how most of them learn primarily through their bodies.

• Why bonding between the teacher and child is so important, and how music contributes to the relationship.

• How playing simple instruments (drums, jingles, rhythm sticks and rattles) allows children the opportunity to explore the connection between sounds and their ability to produce them.

• How music taps into love, kindness and wonder and thus provides its own wonderful learning.