Using Music to learn more

22 November 2011

I was driving my two year old grandson and he was a bit grizzly. I  started to sing a song and very quickly his mood changed and he began to clap. When I stopped he cried out, “more Nana,” he didn’t mind the repetition either!

His smiling face and laughter told me he enjoyed the music! Music is a powerful stimulant; it can alter a child’s mood instantly aildren so many things, that words can be sung, that they have a meaning. And who hasn’t been moved when they have heard their child singing to themselves.

Babies are able to recognise their mother’s voice from others. They will register a playful voice they recognise by moving their arms and legs or cooing. A child’s brain develops its full potential when exposed to enriching experiences, like music, in early childhood.

   

Sadly too many children reach school age with very little musical stimulation. We talk to a child for 12 months before we get a verbal response but it doesn’t stop us talking to our child. It’s the same with music. The more you put in, the more you using, the more your child and you will reap.

Babies who are sung too will sing. Children don’t sing automatically. Children surrounded by music and singing will sing in the same way that children who are spoken to will speak their own language.

But I can’t sing….
Young children don’t notice if you are singing in tune or not. Children seldom sing in tune between 2-4. They notice if you are enjoying yourself and having fun. They will pick up on your enthusiasm so sing, sing, sing, nursery rhymes or any of the children’s songs you can remember. Then one day when you miss out a word your child will fill it in!

Make up songs. Sing what you are doing, “I’m peeling potatoes to mash for your dinner.” Sing about the washing, mixing the play dough, anything. Find instruments in your cupboard. A gladwrap cardboard roll on an ice cream container is in my toy box. Cellophane makes a great scrunchy noise, a wooden spoon on an upturned saucepanmakes a good drum too. Playing with the instruments and singing encourages creativity, self-confidence and curiosity.

Notice the noise
Turn the radio or tv off sometime. Encourage your child to listen, use quiet voices. Play a game of guessing what the noise is. Make the sound of the clock, tick, tock. Rat a tat tat, who is at the door? Help children appreciate the rain on the roof, the birds singing, a cricket or a waterfall.

Explore noise
Enjoy music together. Use the radio and dance with your child. Show them how to sway and cuddle to a different beat. Children rarely sit still when they hear recorded
music. Give them a ribbon or a scarf to wave and watch as it moves to the music or as
they wave it. Action and music are great for muscle control. Help your child hear the
rhythm or beat in the music.

Children who are exposed to music and movement find it easier to learn later in life

because their brain has been given a boost.