Composers’ Perspective on Creating Music for Infants and Toddlers: A Thematic Analysis

Abstract Music plays a crucial role in early childhood, supporting infants’ and toddlers’ cognitive, emotional, and sensory development. Yet, little is known about how composers approach creating music for this age group. This study investigates the creative processes of composers who compose music for infants and toddlers, exploring their perspectives on sources of inspiration, challenges encountered, and developmental considerations. Using purposive sampling, five composers, selected for creating music compositions for infants and toddlers in the B-AIR project, participated in this qualitative study. Data were collected through semistructured interviews and analyzed through thematic analysis. Findings reveal that composers drew inspiration from nature, unique communication styles of children, cultural influences, and personal introspection. Challenges face includes adapting their creative approach to the sensibilities of young listeners, managing technical constraints, and navigating copyright issues. Composers’ knowledge about infant and toddler development stemmed from formal education, professional workshops, personal experiences, and cultural observations. Although they reported varying levels of confidence in their understanding of child development, composers demonstrated an informed understanding of how young children perceive and respond to music. They emphasized the importance of creating music that aligns with young children’s auditory sensitivities and contributes meaningfully to their holistic development. These findings highlight the value of interdisciplinary collaboration and the need for clearer guidelines to support music composition for early childhood.