This assignment aims to explore an area of ​​primary education relevant to my experience in the classroom. It will specifically address the importance of music education on emotional development and how music can be incorporated into other educational settings. Additionally, this assignment will also discuss how my thinking and understanding of the importance of music education have changed and developed as a result of my experiences thus far. The Department for Education says this; “…It is a requirement that every child in the early years stage is provided with the opportunity to explore music using a variety of songs and instruments…” Before my placement, my vision and understanding of teaching of music were limited; I couldn't see the meaning or importance of music education. My thought was that music teaching was not as important as other subjects such as English or mathematics and that it had no influence on children's emotional development. My understanding was that music education was simply an opportunity for children to sing and make unnecessary noise with a variety of instruments and that no meaningful learning was taking place. However, my experience in schools along with the music module and current work as a nursery have radically changed my views and understanding of the importance of music education. Ofsted says so; “children's involvement in music engages and re-engages pupils; increasing their self-esteem and maximizing their progress in education and not just music.” In my current job as a nursery (working with children aged six weeks to five years) I have seen the important role that music education has on the emotional development of children from a very… middle of the road… assessment of music in schools [Available online at] http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/resources/making-more-of- music-evaluation-of-music-schools-2005-08 [Accessed 15 June 2014)Ransom. L, DMA, (2006) Music Together [available online at] http://www.musictogether.com/MusicandLanguage. [Accessed 12 June 2014]Sima H. ​​Anvari, Trainor J, Woodside. J and Levy. BA, (2002) “Relationships between musical skills, phonological processing, and early reading ability in preschool children”, Journal of Experimental Child Psychology 83: 111–130.Silberg.J, (1997 -2014) The Importance of Music for Children [ Available online at] http://www.barnesandnoble.com/u/jackie-silberg-importance-of-music/379002449/ [Accessed 12 June 2014] Wiggins, D. G. (2007). Preschool music and the emerging reader: Promoting literacy in a music-enhanced environment. Early Childhood Education Journal 35(1): 55-64