All children are naturally musical—it is the ‘universal language’! Did you know that in all cultures there is a natural phenomena that all children ‘sing’ “Nyah-nyah-nyah-nyah-nyah-nyah”(The tune of Ring-A-Round-the-Rosie and A Tisket, A Tasket in the English language) Ask any adult about their early musical experiences, and there is rarely hesitation—lullabys, church choirs, children’s games. These musical experiences can have a powerful effect.
Research has also demonstrated that music training in children results in long-term enhancement of visual–spatial, verbal, and mathematical performance (Effects of Music Training on the Child’s Brain and Cognitive Development by Gottfried Schlaug, Andrea Norton, Katie Overy, Ellen Winner, Department of Neurology, Music and Neuroimaging Laboratory, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center/Harvard Medical School, Boston Mass. and Department of Psychology, Boston College, Boston, Mass.)
Music is an important component to our program at South Hills Child Development Center Inc. We want children to love music as a beautiful sound that enriches all of life’s experiences. At the preschool age, we encourage much singing. As Zoltan Kodaly, the Hungarian composer, ethnomusicologist, linguist and philosopher states, “The voice is the most natural instrument, and one which every person possesses.”
Some components of the Kodaly Concept for teaching music are used here at South Hills. We teach basic musical skills based on experiences for the children (not just listening to music), and singing is emphasized since it is a natural instrument, and because it is “a powerful means of musical expression” according to Kodaly. He also states that “What we produce by ourselves is better learned; there is a stronger feeling of success and accomplishment.” Kodaly also emphasizes that “Learning through singing should precede instrumental training, since singing best develops the inner, musical ear.” I am especially fond of this quote of Kodaly:
“If we ourselves sing often, this provides a deep experience of happiness in music. Through our own musical activities, we learn to know the pulsations, rhythm, and shape of melody. The enjoyment given encourages the study of instruments and the listening to other pieces of music as well.” (Kodaly, 1964)
My goal for your children is that they have a ‘deep experience of happiness’ as they sing, dance, move, and listen to a variety of music. As Kodaly also states, and I fully support, “ The pure soul of a child must be considered sacred; what we implant there must stand every test…”
Parents--do not hesitate to sing and dance with your child! It doesn’t matter if you can keep a tune or if you can keep rhythm—it is a precious memory maker for your child, and creates that ‘deep experience of happiness’ that all children deserve. Listen to music with your child, talk about how songs make you feel, attend musical events together, find ways to ‘make music at home (two wooden spoons make great rhythm sticks or drum sticks!). Sing! Sing! Sing! Sing loud, sing soft, sing stories to your child instead of reading them (using the nyah, nyah, nyah, nyah, nyah, nyah tune if you can’t come up with anything else!). Try singing your child’s name when you call him/her to dinner, or give any kind of instruction. Sing to your child as you wake him/her up and open the bedroom curtains! These types of experiences are enriching far beyond what you can imagine! (neurologically, psychologically, mathematically, linguistically, emotionally, and much more!)
♥Ms. Connie
©ckvogt 9/29/2012
Research has also demonstrated that music training in children results in long-term enhancement of visual–spatial, verbal, and mathematical performance (Effects of Music Training on the Child’s Brain and Cognitive Development by Gottfried Schlaug, Andrea Norton, Katie Overy, Ellen Winner, Department of Neurology, Music and Neuroimaging Laboratory, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center/Harvard Medical School, Boston Mass. and Department of Psychology, Boston College, Boston, Mass.)
Music is an important component to our program at South Hills Child Development Center Inc. We want children to love music as a beautiful sound that enriches all of life’s experiences. At the preschool age, we encourage much singing. As Zoltan Kodaly, the Hungarian composer, ethnomusicologist, linguist and philosopher states, “The voice is the most natural instrument, and one which every person possesses.”
Some components of the Kodaly Concept for teaching music are used here at South Hills. We teach basic musical skills based on experiences for the children (not just listening to music), and singing is emphasized since it is a natural instrument, and because it is “a powerful means of musical expression” according to Kodaly. He also states that “What we produce by ourselves is better learned; there is a stronger feeling of success and accomplishment.” Kodaly also emphasizes that “Learning through singing should precede instrumental training, since singing best develops the inner, musical ear.” I am especially fond of this quote of Kodaly:
“If we ourselves sing often, this provides a deep experience of happiness in music. Through our own musical activities, we learn to know the pulsations, rhythm, and shape of melody. The enjoyment given encourages the study of instruments and the listening to other pieces of music as well.” (Kodaly, 1964)
My goal for your children is that they have a ‘deep experience of happiness’ as they sing, dance, move, and listen to a variety of music. As Kodaly also states, and I fully support, “ The pure soul of a child must be considered sacred; what we implant there must stand every test…”
Parents--do not hesitate to sing and dance with your child! It doesn’t matter if you can keep a tune or if you can keep rhythm—it is a precious memory maker for your child, and creates that ‘deep experience of happiness’ that all children deserve. Listen to music with your child, talk about how songs make you feel, attend musical events together, find ways to ‘make music at home (two wooden spoons make great rhythm sticks or drum sticks!). Sing! Sing! Sing! Sing loud, sing soft, sing stories to your child instead of reading them (using the nyah, nyah, nyah, nyah, nyah, nyah tune if you can’t come up with anything else!). Try singing your child’s name when you call him/her to dinner, or give any kind of instruction. Sing to your child as you wake him/her up and open the bedroom curtains! These types of experiences are enriching far beyond what you can imagine! (neurologically, psychologically, mathematically, linguistically, emotionally, and much more!)
♥Ms. Connie
©ckvogt 9/29/2012
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