Just as children are not forced to create sentences before they have developed listening and speaking vocabularies in language, ideally, as children learn music, they should not be forced to make music responses before they have developed listening and speaking vocabularies in music.  In order to help children understand the differences between language and music, and in order to help them develop listening and speaking vocabularies in music, children need to be exposed to many music activities without language.

    In addition, children need to observe adults and other children freely participating in moving, chanting, and singing.  By observing and listening to others, children are exposed to the syntax of music, and they are able to teach themselves how to function within that syntax.