I have always loved music!  In college I minored in Music education and earned my Texas Teaching Certificate to teach music through 8th grade.  Through the years I have enjoyed teaching music and introducing musical activities to my students in various classrooms.  Music is a universal language!  Music can change a person’s mood, it can calm and it can energize.  Who hasn’t exercised to some type of music or relaxed listening to their favorite tunes?  Children are the same, they love music.  Maria Montessori knew the importance of music in the life of a child,

“…There should be music in the child’s environment, just as there does exist in the child’s environment spoken speech.  In the social environment the child should be considered and music should be provided.”

Her son, Mario Montessori stated,

“The child does not learn language, he absorbs it as a dry sponge absorbs water.  Language seems to grow in the child.  Given the chance, music can also grow in the child as he himself grows.”

“Several studies by the American Association for the Advancement of Science, which is based at Brown University, explored the effects of art and music education on young children’s learning. The conclusions of these studies support the theory that music instruction can help build intellectual and emotional skills, facilitate children’s learning and strengthen other academic areas, such as reading and math. Also, these studies indicate that music can positively affect children and adults of all ages.” There are studies at the University of California, citing that 3 and 4 year old children scored higher on IQ scores when having music instruction and “Several studies indicate that the reading level of students with one year of music was nearly one grade higher than their peers without such music training. Children with two years of music experience had scores equivalent to two years ahead of their reading age, and these statistics improved with music experience.”

As adults in the child’s environment it is our responsibility to give the children times to not only enjoy music but to gain an appreciation and understanding of it.  We need to create opportunities for musical growth, not just enjoyment of music but progressive growth of understanding and appreciation.

It is my belief that yes, weekly music lessons do help but I also believe that music should be included daily in the child’s environment which means their classroom teachers and parents need to be intentional including music education and opportunities to learn to love and enjoy music in their schedules. 

If you don’t play an instrument or cannot read music, that is okay.  We all have an instrument inside us….our voice boxes!   Everyone can teach a song to a child.  My introduction to the scale to children is the Do, Re, Mi chorus from the Sound of Music.  I have a chart with the notes, and hand motions to assist them with the memorization of the lyrics.  They always love this song!  Check out our video!

The Montessori Bells are wonderful to have in your classroom and they can be used for primary students as well as elementary.  Our problem is, that many schools do not have these for all the classrooms due to how expensive they are.  If you do have them, there are 10 basic lessons:

1)         Introduction to the bells using the mallet to strike and the damper to stop the pitch

2)         Matching the Timbre of a bell to it mate, using a mallet to strike the bell and a damper to stop the sound (Begin with two bells and add one at a time as the child progresses in their ability to match the pitches of the bells.)

3)         Striking and singing the pitch or humming it, try the syllable, “La”

4)         Playing a pitch and then identifying or classifying pitch as either high or low

5)         Singing the scale with the bells

6)         Grading the bells from lowest to the highest

6)         Learning the names of the bells/notes:  C, D, E. etc. or Do, Re, Mi (Do a three period name lesson to teach the names while striking the bell to hear the pitch)

8)         For older students you can play and identify whole steps and half steps (much more difficult)

9)         Introducing the names of the notes with the green board with simple black and white discs and matching with the bells

10)       Then playing a simple song on the bells or writing your own tune

There are many music and movement activities that you can include.  I always begin by showing the children the motions and practicing them together before doing them to the music.  I stress performing the motions standing in place rather than moving all over the room!  If I see a child beginning to get out of control while practicing, I simply go and stand by that child as we finish the exercise.  Once the motions have been practiced then add the music and sing the lyrics. 

For my youngest students, 2 to 3 year olds, I have created simple placards on Popsicle sticks, one of a rabbit and one of a turtle.  Using these I introduce tempo.  We discuss how some songs are slow like a turtle and some are fast like a rabbit.  We then sing songs of various tempos or play them on a CD player and pick up the correct card to move to the beat of the song.  It is easy to play a recorded classical piano piece and then use the cards while listening, too.  Some examples of children’s tunes that you can sing and use the cards with are:

Itsy Bitsy Spider  (slow tempo)

            London Bridge  (fast tempo)

            Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star  (slow tempo)

            The Farmer In The Dell  (fast tempo)

            I’m a Little Teapot (slow tempo)

            Head and Shoulders, Knees and Toes (fast tempo)

            BINGO  (fast tempo)

            She’ll be Coming Round the Mountain When She Comes (fast tempo)

Some of my favorite recordings for children are: 

            1)         Montessori Minute Melodies by Shelley Murley

            2)         Time for Music II, Frank Leto

            3)         Move Your Dancing Feet, Frank Leto

            4)         The Second Line-Scarf Activity Songs, Johnette Downing

            5)         Favorite American Classics, Patriotic Fathers, Skip to My Lou

I also have a huge collection of classical recordings of Mozart, Beethoven, Bach, Haydn, Brahms, etc. which you may use with scarves.  Each month you should introduce the students to one of the great composers and listen to their music throughout the month, such as during work time, lunch, naptime, etc.

Children should be introduced to the basic rhythm instruments such as cymbals, rhythm sticks, maracas, tambourines, triangles, and drums.  With these rhythm instruments we experience the “beat” to tunes and later we introduce the rhythms of the songs. 

Yes, it can be overwhelming to think about all the various music activities you can do with your children but start simple with an introduction to a famous artist and listen to their music and then teach the Do, Re, Mi song just to give a melodic start to your study.  Don’t forget to sing seasonal songs as various holidays roll around and have above all have fun and enjoy music!

Resources:

http://www.azquotes.com/quote/1206104

Music Research:

http://pitchperfectmusic.org/articles/studies-showing-benefits-music-education/