The role played by music in Egyptian education in developing the character of the child is discussed. The first part of the paper discusses the characteristics of the elementary school child and examines how each can be developed through musical education. For example, young children have a fertile imagination that can be stimulated by music. Other characteristics discussed are curiosity, the childhood tendency toward beauty, the potentiality of childhood, the child's readiness to respond to any emergent influence, and the child's sociability. Musical education can help the child develop muscular-motor cooperation, aural memory and time sensation, and the abilities to differentiate aurally and to observe and pay attention. The second part of the paper examines childhood needs and the role played by music to satisfy them. For example, children need to be loved and to be affectionately secure. Music stimulates pleasant emotions and can satisfy children's need for love by encouraging them to participate with others, as in a chorus. Other needs discussed are those of security, belonging and social acceptance, self-respect and self-esteem, success and accomplishment, and knowledge and understanding. (RM)