The Sound Of Music Can Be A Portal To Learning

Written by: Robin M. Wilson, Executive Contributor

Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.

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If you have watched the 1965 film The Sound of Music, you are bound to remember the classic song “Do-Re-Mi.” Recently, my husband and I took my niece to the park. As we walked to the house, she pointed to a deer in the distance. Therefore, I began singing the song to her. It was the first time that she heard Do-Re-Mi. After repeating the lyrics three times, she began to sing the song with lyrical accuracy.

As with my niece, music was a portal to learning for me as a child. In second grade, I learned how to spell respect by listening to Aretha Franklin's 1967 hit “Respect.” I jammed to that song countless times until the words were imprinted in my memory.

Now, as a teacher, I use music and movement to teach kindergarten scholars. Before our daily French language lesson, I invite scholars to dance to Belgian pop artist Stromae’s “Papaoutai” and “Alors On Danse.” I teach them the meaning of keywords in the chorus, and we sing and dance together.

For classroom transitions, I sing “It’s Time to be Quiet,” a song that I created that follows the melody of the nursery rhyme “Frère Jacques.” We sing in a call-and-response fashion. Scholars mimic my tone. They become silent so that we can begin our lesson.

At the end of the school day, I play classical sounds such as Debussy’s “Réverie” or Chopin’s “Nocturnes, Op. 9: No. 2 in E-Flat Major” to create a calm atmosphere in our classroom to prepare for nap time.

According to Chris Brewer, an authority on curriculum music integration, the use of music in teaching can have the following benefits for children’s learning:

1. Increases sustained attention and concentration

2. Reduces stress levels and frustration

3. Encourages interaction and builds classroom community

4. Creates an emotional connection to information and provides a trigger for memory recall

5. Increases the joys of learning

(Source: Songs for Teaching)

In our classroom, I have seen scholars become more engaged in learning when they move and sing. When I am reading books, I include singing, especially if there are musical references. These are practices that can be done in a classroom or at home. Here are three wonderful books to share with children:

1. Why not share jazz music with children? Jazz is still in style! It’s hot as “fire and brimstone.” If you agree, you should read Trombone Shorty by Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews, a Caldecott Honor and Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award-winning picture book. Children between the ages of 4-8 will enjoy learning about the life and music of Grammy Award-winning trombonist Troy Andrews, who hails from New Orleans, where the soul of jazz still resides. In listening to his music, you will even get a healthy dose of light rock and R & B―these are sound blends that he skillfully infuses in his jazz music. He began his professional career before he graduated from high school. Trombone Shorty is a wonderful book to inspire your child to learn about jazz music. Who knows? The sounds of Troy Andrews’ music may inspire your child to learn how to play an instrument, too.

2. If you are a Hamilton fan, consider sharing A Kids' Guide to Hamilton the Musical by Amanda Bjerkan Hennessy with your young reader (s). This book is ideal for children between the ages of 6-10. The text gives readers an opportunity to learn about words and historical references mentioned in the musical Hamilton. Play the Hamilton soundtrack before or after reading the book with your child. Have a family jam session in your house to combine reading, dancing, and singing.

3. For many, the day that the word r-e-s-p-e-c-t became an anthem was the day that the Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin sang her classic hit in 1967. RESPECT: Aretha Franklin, Queen of Soul by Carole Boston Weatherford is a winner of the Coretta Scott King Illustration Award. Weatherford introduces a new generation to the music and life of the late songstress Aretha Franklin. Talk about the meaning of the word respect and give examples. Consider singing the lyrics while reading parts of the book and listen to the song. This can add joy to your child’s reading experience.

From pop to jazz, music and movement can be a portal to learning for children. It can transport young scholars to a place of imagination, engagement, and understanding. If you want to increase your child’s learning, as Julie Andrews beautifully sang, “let's start at the very beginning―a very good place to start―when you read, you begin with A, B, C. When you sing, you begin with Do-Re-Mi.”

To learn more about how you can use music and movement to foster learning, visit Zero to Three.

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Read more from Robin!

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Robin M. Wilson, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine

Robin M. Wilson is the founder and CEO of Robin Wilson Educational Consulting LLC, where she combines her research knowledge and professional experience to guide nonprofit organizations in developing effective strategies for serving youth, especially young girls and women.

With more than 10 years of experience working on literacy initiatives and in the nonprofit sector, Robin has worked directly with people from various cultural and ethnic backgrounds locally and abroad. She has trained youth and adults to become leaders and responsible citizens. Robin is a compassionate leader with a passion for uplifting and inspiring young people to lead and thrive.

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References:

1. Chris Brewer, 2005. Soundtracks for Learning: Using Music in the Classroom. Benefits of Using Music in the Classroom by Chris Brewer, M.A. (songsforteaching.com).

2. The Sound of Music. Directed by Robert Wise, performances by Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer, Richard Haydn, Peggy Wood, Charmian Carr, Eleanor Parker, 20th Century Fox, 1965.