Singing Helps Young Children

Singing is a wonderful and fun way of interacting with young children.  Rhythm and movement are a part of life. Infant brains are sensitive to the human voice and to musical sounds. Young children relate to the rhythm and flow of music with their whole bodies. Songs with movements are especially appealing and useful. For non-verbal and hearing impaired children, the movements are the musical experience. Children love to tap and clap while they listen to music and while they sing! Check out some children’s songs CD’s from your local library.
Singing Rhymes

deer are here....

   Rhymes, finger plays, and word games can be very motivating.  How many words can you and your grandchild come up with that rhyme with “bat”? How about “can”? Of course, made up words count too! The goal is to have fun with rhyming.  Did you know that children who have a strong sense of how our language works are more apt to be successful readers? The importance of talking and singing a lot with your youngsters cannot be overemphasized. Our brains may be pre-programmed to relate to music.
 The following is a simple chant to enjoy together. Feel the beat on your knees, on your knees (tapping knees with hands). Feel the beat on your shoulders, on your shoulders (Take turns singing and tapping different parts of the body.). Babies like this, too.
Singing Teaches Concepts
 At home families can help teach important concepts. Make up your own tune. A simple song/poem about water can help develop an appreciation of this valuable resource. It’s called “Water Water,

Water, water...everywhere

Everywhere” Water water everywhere and not a drop to spare. Water in the ground and water in the air. Though it may evaporate it never goes away. Stays on top of mountains, melts and floats into the bay. Refrain: Animals need water; people need it too. Keep it clean for me and I’ll keep it clean for you. Second verse: Now you can take a shower in it, you can wash your hair. You can wash your clothes or wash your teddy bear. Really clean water is getting kind of rare. If we want to save it, people have to care. Families can make up their own melody for the words.
    Singing is a great way to transition from one activity to another. You can sing Barney’s famous “Clean up Song” or make up your own when it’s time to do anything. Music gets children’s attention.
   Music can be exciting, motivating and also soothing.  Often babies and preschoolers love to hear the same familiar songs before nap and bedtime.  After reading a favorite book, turn off the lights and help your little ones relax with a few quiet songs. 
Guest writer is Nancy von Burske, Montessori early childhood teacher.
Photos: Fran Darling: fdarling fotos
More Ideas and Activities....See the authors’ book “Learning Through the Seasons” at area bookstores and grandparentsteachtoo.org. For more help to prepare young children for success in school see the authors’ web site: www.grandparentsteachtoo.org. Also check our audio Podcasts WNMU Radio 90; Youtube video activities; and join us on Pinterest

Drumming Helps Children Learn

 Lub -Dub, Lub -Dub, boom-da-da- boom. Young children are drawn to drumming sounds and love to move with the beats found in every culture. Just observe young children at Pow-wows, band concerts, weddings, and parades. Drums are also a fun learning tool. 

Materials Needed:

Purchased drums, homemade drums, and drumsticks

What To Do:

   To make your own drum sets help children gather cardboard, plastic, wooden, tin containers of different sizes and shapes. Include a discussion that walls and furniture are NOT drums.

   Large boxes are great big bass drums.  They can be held upright or placed flat on the floor for a deep warm sound.  Stay away from high-pitched sounding pots and pans, but include one pizza pan for a realistic cymbal.

   Wooden spoons and chopsticks make excellent drumsticks. Music stores also have inexpensive ones. If desired, muffle sounds by wrapping cloth secured with string around the tips. Children can also just use their hands.

  Use the different sizes, shapes, and materials to explain that large containers make a deep sound and small ones make a higher sound.  Drums, like all other musical instruments, produce sound by vibrating air molecules. These air molecules push together and pull apart until the sound finally reaches the ear. Air molecules have more space and move slower in a large drum chamber. Slower movement creates a deeper sound. Place your children’s hands on a container while you drum.  They can feel the vibration.

  To avoid a crazy riot of banging, drum with your children. Teach them to follow a beat so later they can make their own. Can they imitate different rhythms you make?  Can they beat fast, slowly, loudly and softly?  Can they drum to songs like “Little Drummer Boy” that has a soft steady beat? Familiar songs like “Old MacDonald” and “Itsy Bitsy Spider” have varied rhythms. Create a drumming circle so adults and children can drum together, take turns, and imitate each other.

  “You Tube” is filled with college and high school marching bands, drum circles, and Pow-Wow’s to inspire drumming and dancing.

What Else Can We Do?

  Include drumsticks on your next neighborhood walk and explore the different sounds children can make drumming on trees, pipes, and rocks. Take children to  live performances where they can experience the power of percussion. Liven up a dreary day by marching around your house to the music of a college band playing fight songs.

How Does This Help My Child?

   Drumming, like other kinds of music, helps children focus, relieves stress, elevates moods, improves listening skills, increases coordination, and provides exercise. 

Find Out More

For more ways to encourage music and expend energy on long winter days see the authors’ book “Learning Through the Seasons” at area bookstores and grandparentsteachtoo.org. For more help to prepare young children for success in school see the authors’ web site www.grandparentsteachtoo.org.

Also check our audio Podcasts WNMU Radio 90; Youtube video activities; and join us on Pinterest.

Photos: 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kashmera/3767680884/ DSC_0028

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:US_Navy_050216-N-7923C-211_A_young_Indian_girl,_who_attends_the_Saint_Francis_Xavier_School_for_Children_with_Special_Needs,_plays_a_drum_during_a_concert_held_by_the_U.S._Seventh_Fleet_Band.jpg