The Role and Importance of Musical Games in the Holistic Development of Children

Majlinda Hala – Department of Picture, University of Arts, Tirana, Albania

Abstract: Musical play is a powerful pedagogical tool for the development of children at an early age. These activities directly affect motor, sensory, emotional, intellectual and artistic development. This article explores the ways in which games in general and musical games support the holistic development of children, including the practices of educational methods such as Orff, Dalcroze and Suzuki, supported by contemporary research in the field of music education and developmental neuroscience. Also, this article presents different models of using music games for children, focusing more on Albanian music games. In conclusion, musical games are a rich and comprehensive tool for the holistic development of children. This article provides a comparative overview of Albanian musical games and those from the broader Balkan and European regions, with particular attention to their musical and textual characteristics and their psychological and developmental impact on children. Drawing from ethnomusicological studies and developmental psychology, the paper identifies key cultural and pedagogical elements embedded in these traditions. They affect motor, sensory, emotional, intellectual and artistic aspects in a related manner. Pedagogical practices that integrate musical play, based on well-known methods such as Orff, Dalcroze and Suzuki, contribute significantly to the creation of a lively, safe and favorable environment for learning. The findings emphasize the multidimensional role of musical games in supporting children’s motor, emotional, cognitive, and social development across cultures.

Keywords: Piano; instrument; contemporary; musicality; composer.

Full Text: PDF

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.16754166

Publication Date: 06.08.2025 

How to Cite: Hala M. The Role and Importance of Musical Games in the Holistic Development of Children, Journal of Arts and Humanities Science. 2024; 2(1); 28-37. 

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