For Early Childhood Educators
Resources to Bring Music Into Your Classroom
Free tools, curated reading, and educator-vetted platforms — everything you need to teach with music, starting today.
Freely Available
Free Resources
No signup required. Download, explore, and use these directly in your classroom or program.
Free
Carnegie Hall Music Educators Toolbox
Lesson plans, assessments, and best practices for K–5 music educators, developed through a five-year NYC school residency. Covers rhythm, pitch, form, expressive qualities, and more.
Explore Toolbox →
Free
NAEYC: Music & Songs Resource Library
Research-based articles, strategies, and activity ideas from the National Association for the Education of Young Children — focused on integrating music, movement, and SEL in early childhood settings.
Browse Resources →
Free
Music for Kiddos: Song & Lesson Ideas
A comprehensive collection of songs, session ideas, and lesson planning resources for preschool and kindergarten — sourced from the Music for Kiddos Podcast and blog.
Browse Collection →
Free
NAfME Position Statement on Early Childhood Music
The National Association for Music Education’s foundational position on music in early childhood — ideal for advocacy, grant writing, and professional documentation.
Visit NAfME →
Free
Gordon Institute for Music Learning (GIML)
Introductory materials on Music Learning Theory — the research framework foundational to MusicaIQ PD courses. Free pamphlet download available on-site.
Explore GIML →
Free
Save the Music: General Music Resource Guide
A curated list of organizations, platforms, apps, and lesson sources for PreK–8 music educators — including free ukulele curriculum and SEL-linked music activities.
Browse Guide →
Free Download
Get the Kids Make Music Activity Pack
Unlock our signature free resource — straight to your inbox.
Exclusive Resource
Kids Make Music Activity Pack
A practical, ready-to-use collection of music-based activities designed for early childhood classrooms. Built around the same framework as our ECETP-approved Kids Make Music course.
- Rhythm and movement activities for ages 2–5
- Music-based transition and routine strategies
- Simple songs that support language development
- Tips for educators with no formal music training
- Aligned with NAEYC and NYS learning standards
Send it to my inbox →
Curated for Early Childhood Music Educators
Recommended Books & Tools
Handpicked by Dr. Antonella Di Giulio — the books and platforms she returns to again and again.
Music Learning Theory
The Ways Children Learn Music
The friendliest primer on Gordon’s Music Learning Theory — and the best starting point before diving into Gordon’s own writing. Essential for any early childhood music educator.
Find on Amazon →
Early Childhood Music
Music in Early Childhood Education
A clear, research-grounded introduction to singing, moving, listening, and playing music with young children at every developmental stage — including prenatal. Written for educators with no formal music background.
Find on Amazon →
Neuroscience of Music
This Is Your Brain on Music
A landmark exploration of how music affects the brain — grounding music education in neuroscience. Excellent for understanding the “why” behind music-based learning strategies.
Find on Amazon →
Social-Emotional Learning
The Whole-Brain Child
Twelve practical strategies for nurturing a child’s developing mind — a natural companion to music-based SEL work. Bridges brain science and classroom practice.
Find on Amazon →
Music Pedagogy
Musicking: The Meanings of Performing and Listening
A transformative reframing of music as an activity rather than a thing — foundational reading for understanding what it means to bring music into any classroom or community setting.
Find on Amazon →
Inclusive Practice
Winding It Back: Teaching to Individual Differences
A collaborative text centered on honoring individual learning needs in music classrooms — covering early childhood music, creative movement, rhythm, tonal development, and SEL.
Find on Amazon →
Aspire Registry
New York’s professional development registry for early childhood educators. Create your account, track your training hours, and register for EIP-funded courses — including all MusicaIQ PD offerings.
Visit Aspire →
ECETP — UAlbany
The Early Childhood Education Training Program at the University at Albany — the certifying body for MusicaIQ PD courses. Review approved training and CE credit requirements here.
Visit ECETP →
Prodigies Music
A colorful, accessible music learning platform for ages 2–12, with 1,000+ videos covering singing, instruments, and music theory. Great for supplementing classroom instruction.
Explore Prodigies →
GIML — Gordon Institute for Music Learning
The home of Music Learning Theory research and early childhood music professional development. Offers courses, publications, and a free introductory pamphlet on MLT principles.
Visit GIML →
NAEYC
The National Association for the Education of Young Children — the leading professional organization for early childhood educators. Excellent for policy, research, and classroom strategies aligned with developmentally appropriate practice.
Visit NAEYC →
Save the Music Foundation
A curated hub of free, standards-aligned music resources for PreK–8 educators — including free ukulele curriculum, SEL-linked activities, and an extensive educator resource library.
Visit Save the Music →