Music, Music, Music!

Back in the day, everyone went to Sunday School. If there was somebody in the neighborhood who didn’t go to Sunday School, it was a real oddity. In Sunday School we sang little songs like “The B-I-B-L-E, yes, that’s the book for me,” “Jesus loves me, this I know for the Bible tells me so,” and “Jesus loves the little ones like me, me, me … Little ones like me, sat upon His knee.” Our Sunday School teachers were trying to impart Biblical truths to us, but they were also singing rhymes that were preparing us for reading. Because Class, what is the number one indicator that a child will become a good reader? That’s right. Phonemic awareness, the ability to hear and make rhyme.

You don’t have to just sing little church songs, although in this day and age it might not be a bad idea, but remember all those car-riding songs you used to sing that annoyed the heck out of your older brother? Just make sure the songs have some good rhythm and rhyme. My children loved Sharon, Lois, and Bram’s The Elephant Show, and there are currently many resources out their for simple little rhyming songs. Lyrics for most songs are on the Internet.

You see, when you add music to rhyme, you create a double whammy explosion because music stimulates their little endorphins. Endorphins reduce pain and produce a feeling of euphoria, kind of like comfort food without the calories. If you compound that euphoric state with movement, you have the perfect atmosphere for toddler teachable time. (We’ll investigate more about specific movement in another lesson.) In these tough economic times, it’s a neat trick. Your kids are learning and having fun, and you’re getting one up on the Joneses who just spent $2000 on preschool. Plus, you get to spend time with your child, building a relationship with that lovable preschooler who will someday become an obnoxious teenager.

Research among school-age children: One study showed that 30 minutes of singing 3 times a week for 12 weeks improved reading by an average of a one-year gain. The students read faster, demonstrated better comprehension, and all but one passed the grade level achievement test.

In addition, research suggests that children who are exposed to music perform better in tests of memory, literacy, mathematics and general IQ. So, in terms of academic success, the payoff seems far greater than what is achieved via reading readiness activities.

In my Master's thesis I did research that indicated students can learn and retain information more proficiently when the information is put to music.  Prime example:  "The ABC Song."

This is the School Marm,

Ringing her bell.

School’s out!