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Tap into the Power of Music
Learning Made Easy
By Stephen McDow
 Music has always been an integral, critical component of human learning and culture. From the moment we enter the world, music surrounds us in the form of lullabies and nursery rhymes. That’s why it is such a natural and effective way to teach in the classroom.
Music has the power to capture children’s imaginations and help them learn their letters and numbers. In fact, the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) says, “…exposure to music during the early years enhances the learning process by promoting language development, creativity, coordination, and social interaction.”
Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer, the acclaimed songwriters and 2003-2004 Grammy Award winners, agree. They believe that music is the most natural way to teach children. “Children identify with music that makes them feel special and important.” They added, “If it’s fun, then kids will want to hear it over and over again. If it is fun, and they can learn something, all the better!”
Music is a key component of the Handwriting Without Tears curriculum. Get Set for School and now Rock, Rap, Tap & Learn use music to teach important skills, bring Mat Man™ to life, and spur creative and interactive learning.
Get Set for School™ CD
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Fun finger plays promote fine motor development |
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Crayon Song helps you teach grip |
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Numbers are fun as children count animal legs and body parts |
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Active songs teach large motor skills, body awareness, and drawing skills |
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Children respond particularly well to familiar music. *According to NAEYC, playing a recorded song several times as background music can help children build vocabulary. In fact, research shows that music can help children improve early literacy skills and even remember lessons into adulthood.
Because of its power to promote social interaction and learning, music is also an ideal introduction to new environments and concepts, helping teachers connect to their students and students to feel at ease in a new setting. There are so many reasons to incorporate music in home and school learning:
- Teach new vocabulary and counting, letter formation, rhyming, and other language skills
- Enable patterning and imitation
- Boost memory by populating familiar melodies with people, objects, and events that are important to children
- Develop coordination and spatial awareness
- Teach pencil grip and posture for writing
- Inspire creativity, participation, and active learning
Handwriting and music are a particularly potent combination, helping children focus on motor and language skills in a fun, non-threatening way.
Cathy and Marcy explain that, “Rhythm and music come naturally to most children. Combined with a child’s natural affinity for playfulness, music is a perfect avenue for self-expression and creativity. As children grow, singing together often is one of the first cooperative activities they will do.”
When it comes to transcending boundaries, capturing children’s imaginations, and enhancing language arts learning, there is no more perfect instrument than music.
* Music Appreciation: a universal language for all ages, NAEYC, www.naeyc.org |
