Tag Archives: Music education

Music and learning in the early childhood classroom…

Posted on February 28, 2017 | Leave a comment

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Throughout history, music has been used as an instrument of sociality for cultures the world over. Its power has been touted as the great elixir of both physiological as well as emotional ills. Researchers have studied its effect on emotional/social development, physical development, and intelligence.

The role of music in the education of the young child is at the forefront of all other early learning since the child’s musical intelligence overlaps and intersects with all other intelligence defined by Gardner (Thurman, Chase, and Langness, 1987). Music is a precursor to the development of the other intelligence: linguistic, musical, bodily kinesthetic, logical-mathematical, spatial, and personal (Boyd, 1989).

Visualize the following scenario. Ten kindergarten children are singing the song Five Little Bunnies. Their musical intelligence is used as they sway left to right in rhythm with the music. Their logical-mathematical intelligence is piqued in the counting of bunnies. Their linguistic skills are developed when they create their own personal interpretation of the song. Their spatial and personal development is stimulated as they move around like a bunny.

Children love to sing. Singing generates emotional dimension and is extremely important in social/cultural development since it and culminating activities are invaluable to establishing group identity. Ritualized singing at the beginning and end of play periods develops a meaningful bridge between the child’s home life and school life. (Boyd, 1989).

Meaningful, well-constructed songs are easily memorized and will come to mind at any given moment providing the child singing it a comforting reminder of earlier activities or learning experiences.

Music Lessons Enhance Brain Function in Disadvantaged Kids – Pacific Standard: The Science of Society

Posted on September 15, 2014 | Leave a comment

Click on the link below for an enlightening article on information we should inherently know. Parents, teachers, and community – join in and speak up for children. The arts – in particular music, play a critical role in high student achievement. The problem that presents itself in education is many non-musical people set the curriculum guidelines that all educators must follow. I once had a kindergarten teacher tell me she did not see the value of music to kindergarten students. My heart sank! How much time are your children or students allowed to take part in the arts at school? Head’s up! Thirty minutes a week is not enough.

Music Lessons Enhance Brain Function in Disadvantaged Kids – Pacific Standard: The Science of Society.

Music and its importance to learning

Posted on February 16, 2013 | Leave a comment

I was once asked what my greatest personal accomplishment was. My answer was a no-brainer. My greatest personal accomplishment was overcoming a birth defect to go on to make a living for many years as a professional vocalist, then teacher.

I was born with a hemangioma under my tongue which prevented me from speaking normally until after surgery at the age of five. The doctors said surgery would be too dangerous to attempt before then. It turned out that the age of five was almost too dangerous. As doctors were about to do a tracheotomy due to swelling, I began to breathe normally. I suspect God had a long list of things for me to carry out with my voice! 🙂 Healing wasn’t easy and I had just come through years of being teased by other children.

The taunting left me embarrassed to speak so my parents encouraged me to sing to use my voice. That I did! After surgery, my singing and a short stint in speech class found me off and running! (Or I should say “talking and singing”!)

Though my shyness remained, my junior high school music teacher helped me realize I had talent and encouraged me to use it. Because of his encouragement, I held many leading roles in high school and college theatre productions and went on to earn a living as a professional vocalist for many years before becoming a teacher.

I have long shared with colleagues the importance of using music in the classroom – no matter student age. I was thrilled to meet with my neurologist to review an MRI of my brain after falling and badly hitting my head weeks earlier. He shared the pictures stating, “All is well – you have a highly developed brain – especially your cerebellum.”

I knew the reason immediately. “I have been a musician all my life!” I shared trying to contain my enthusiasm.

“We see this development in people having experiences in music from an early age on,” he shared.

Music has great significance to learning – especially to children who may lack self-esteem or sit through class day in and day out trying to fit a “one size fits all” educational expectation. Learning is hard to without being provided creative experiences which create neurological connections that enhance learning.

One of the most important books on this subject is This is your brain on music written by Daniel J. Levitin. For more information you may want to explore –