Words of Music

What’s on offer?

A day of in-person child-focused activities at St Cecilia's Hall around the exhibition of musical instruments, illustrating language creativity and how children learn words and discover new meanings. Drop in throughout the day for children-centred activities around music and language.

Book for informal talks 'The Power of Words' on early language and music for parents with small children (0-3) at 11am and 3pm in the Education Room, a lovely, warm room perfect for infants and kids.

What’s it about?

How did a large snake, the serpent, end up on the inventory of musical instruments at St Cecilia's Hall? What's the term's history and where does it come from? Why do we use words like sweet or dark to describe music? Inspired by the museum's unique collection of historical instruments, this event shares how words take on their meanings and how humans learn words and language from early childhood. Enter the world of language and music with stories, rhymes, songs and musical instruments as you discover the mysteries of language, from how human babies learn new words to what happens to words across time and cultures.

This event is part of the ESRC Festival of Social Science.

Who’s leading the event?

Barbora Skarabela, Developmental Linguist, School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences, University of Edinburgh

Open to

St Cecilia's will be open to the general public; two talks (11am and 3pm) will be aimed at families with young children (0-3 years) and expecting parents

Of particular interest to

of particular interest to families and parents with young children

Scheduling information

All day event with a talk for parents with small children at 11am, 2 pm; and a talk for general public at 5 pm