Category Archives: music and curriculum

Ensure a strong bond between music in the classroom and music at home


children music lessonChildhood memories often include those times that music was involved.  Sing songs you learned in childhood to your students.  It’s often these traditional songs your students will ask to sing again and again.  Songs like “Playmate”, “Bicycle Built for Two”, and “My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean” evoke the importance of our musical heritage and generate a curiosity to learn more.  Anne E. Boyd says, “Ritualized singing at the beginning and end of play periods develops a meaningful bridge between the child’s home life and school life.”  Surveying classroom parents to ask about their favorite family songs is a way to ensure a sense of comfort and safety for your students.  Surveying your students for their favorite songs will help you select songs most familiar to all.  When students feel safe, optimal learning can take place.

Boyd, Anne E. “Music in Early Childhood.”  International Conference of Early       Education and Development, Hong Kong, July 1989.

Music and curriculum – a “win-win” situation for all


!cid_3172757604_597645Infusing curriculum with music is one sure way to heighten targeted academic development. Children acquire skills easily in relationship to what they know.  The songs and rhythms of early childhood spark enthusiasm for learning and build self-esteem.  There are six elements to incorporating music into your daily teaching routine.  How do we effectively incorporate them?

  • Ensure a strong bond between music in the classroom and music at home.
  • Incorporate music use with all elements of  curriculum.
  • Use music to facilitate effective transition times.
  • Steer appropriate classroom behavior with background music.
  • Develop a “Music and Sound Spot”.
  • Allow time each day for movement with music.

Each of these areas will be presented in following posts to allow time for discussion of each separately.  Be sure to look for future posts.

Also, this is a new blog and I would love to hear from you on the types of information you would like to see presented.  Thanks!