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4Making
music with young children - for fun and for learning
Parent Spot for Parents of Pre-School Students
It's no
coincidence that lullabies are the language of babies and
parents. Long before our children can speak, we know
instinctively that the songs we sing will help soothe them,
make them giggle and encourage them to eat a last bite of rice
cereal.
In this issue of Seeds of Learning, we look at new research on
music and its positive role in young children's lives.
Music for
learning...
A decade ago, many parents eager to give their little ones an
academic jump-start began playing classical music in the
nursery and strapping devices that played rhythms similar to
those found in classical music to their pregnant tummies. This
was based on research findings dubbed the "Mozart effect," the
idea that listening to music like that of classical composer
Amadeus Mozart could make a person smarter.
Further studies of the "Mozart effect" have proven that though
music lessons and listening to rhythmic musical patterns can
increase brain activity, this effect is short-lived, lasting
only 10 minutes to 24 hours.
Despite these findings, there are still many positive reasons
to include music in young children's lives. Singing, playing
instruments and learning to appreciate music can enhance
children's development in other dramatic ways. Here are some
examples: |
Sing me a story!
Picture books to sing with children
There are many picture books for children that combine
familiar song lyrics with colorful illustrations. Here is a
sampling of books you can read and sing along with your little
ones:
She'll Be Comin' Round the Mountain by Kathleen Bullock
It's Raining, It's Pouring by Kin Eagle
I Know an Old Lady by G. Brian Karas
Take Me Out to the Ballgame by Maryann Kovalski
America the Beautiful by Katharine Lee Bates
Hush Little Baby by Sylvia Long
Inch by Inch: The Garden Song by David Mallett
Baby Beluga by Raffi
My Favorite Things by Richard Rodgers
Abiyoyo by Pete Seeger
Just the Two of Us by Will Smith
Fiddle-I-Fee by Melissa Sweet
Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star by Jane Taylor
The Itsy Bitsy Spider by Iza Trapani
Bingo by Rosemary Wells
The Wheels on the Bus by Paul O. Zelinsky |
Socially-When
children sing, dance and make music with you and others, they are
learning how to be part of a group, to learn from others, to take
turns and to make friends in creative ways.
Emotionally-When children listen to a wide range of
music styles, they learn about the many different ways they can
feel. (For example, "This music makes me feel sad," or "When I
listen to this, I get silly!")
Intellectually-Research shows that pre-math, pre-reading and
spoken language connections happen when children decide on the
words to use when singing, tap out the rhythm of their name on a
drum, sing the "ABCs," imitate sounds and mimic words they hear in
songs.
Physically-Whirling and twirling to the sound of
music and filling the lungs to belt out a tune can give children's
bodies a great workout.
Boosting self-esteem/encouraging risk-taking- When you
respond to your children's music-making with smiles and positive
words ("I really like that song, let's sing it again!"), they're
encouraged to take more chances with music. Music-making also
allows them to make choices and learn about their likes and
dislikes (e.g., "I like the sound this box makes when I hit it,
but I really like the crash of pans").
Stimulating creativity-There are many ways for children to
sing the songs they learn and make up-high, low, fast, slow and
with lots and lots of expression. Children's musical creations can
become lullabies for dolls and soundtracks as they zoom their
trucks through a sand pit. Music can also inspire children to
dance, act out what they hear and paint what a song says to them
with colorful finger-paints.
Music for
joy...
Another important, but sometimes overlooked, benefit of making
music with your young children is that it is just plain fun. If
you like belting out your favorite tune while driving in the car,
you should try it with a couple of three-year-old back-up singers!
Parent and Kindermusik teacher Taunya Hannibal-Williams says that
as adults we often put too much emphasis on whether our singing is
on key or the music we play will make our babies smarter. She
points out that all children are musical and, regardless of
children's abilities or disabilities, homes that are filled with
music can enrich youngsters' lives and their families' lives too.
Family
music-making
Ways families can encourage creative music-making at home
Making music with young children is a wonderful way to be
spontaneous and encourage everyone's creativity. It can also boost
children's language development, math and spatial-reasoning
skills, self-confidence, sense of belonging and the ability to
work cooperatively with others.
Here are some musical activities for you and your family to try:
Introduce your children to the
music you love and to other musical styles. The local library is a
treasure trove of free music from around the world.
Play a CD instead of the TV.
When children hear music instead of having it delivered along with
moving images, their listening skills improve and they can tap
into what they think and feel about the music.
Sing with your children.
Despite what you think or may have been told about your singing
abilities, when you take a chance and sing a song, your children
will be inspired to take the leap, too.
Create simple instruments and
play them together. Shakers are easy to make by pouring dried
beans or rice into small plastic containers with secure lids.
Empty oatmeal boxes and ice cream tubs make great drums. These can
be played by hand or with a wooden spoon.
Check the local newspaper for
listings of musical and theatrical performances. Many of these
events are free and can be a great way to help children experience
the joy of live music.
Collect a basket of shakers,
bells, drums and rattles to keep time with the music you play or
songs you sing. Store these where children can reach them when the
musical urge strikes. These can also be used to liven up a
playdate that's losing steam. Use your instrument collection to
create a song all your own-each member of the family can choose a
favorite instrument or pick one at random to play together.
Encourage children to make up
their own songs. Start with a familiar tune like "Mary Had a
Little Lamb" and help children create a new set of lyrics. Working
their names into your songs can be a great hit with children. Mary
Wore Her Red Dress and Henry Wore His Green Sneakers by Merle Peek
is a fun picture book to use for inspiration.
- Give musical gifts.
Rhythm instruments, xylophones, child-operable CD players and
children's music collections are readily available at local
department and toy stores.
For permission to reprint this
article, please contact the Capital Region BOCES Communications
Service by e-mailing
dbushsuf@gw.neric.org.
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