The Wiggles on the importance of music in children's formative years

Watch The Wiggles discuss the importance of developmentally appropriate children's music in their Ted Albert Award acceptance speech.

Iconic children's music group The Wiggles were recently awarded the Ted Albert Award for Outstanding Services to Australian Music at the 2022 APRA Music Awards. In their acceptance speech, they discussed the importance of a child-centered and developmentally appropriate approach to writing children's music. 


The Wiggles accepting the Ted Albert Award for Outstanding Services to Australian Music

In their early studies at Macquarie University, The Wiggles learnt that children "respond more to challenges rather than directions." This allows them to become "active music makers, and own the musical experience." For more than 30 years, The Wiggles have shown their proficiency for writing songs that challenge and encourage children, with actions that accompany singing and story songs that include a level of musical complexity.

This philosophy is in direct tandem with OneMusic Australia's free, downloadable colour poster, which encourages children to engage with music through more than just listening. Click the link below to download this poster now!

The importance of developmentally appropriate musical experiences for children cannot be underestimated. If you own or work for an early childhood education service, don't forget to enter our competition to win a concert from ARIA-Award-winning children's group Teeny Tiny Stevies!