The Power of Music.

Teaching English to Very Young Children

“You don’t need to be a musical expert to share singing and dancing with children”

“ENTHUSIASM is the key –hang loose and enjoy the experience- children will respond whole-heartedly!”

Linda Adamson

The power of music 1/2

Music truly is one of chilhoods’s most rewarding experiences. Here’s why:

• Music is FUN!• Music/singing builds language skills: vocabulary,

structures,...• Music builds self esteem• Music helps to develop motor skills• Music builds listening, playing, creating, moving,

singing and later on reading skills

The power of music 2/2

• Music skills require discipline and concentration• Music can help develop warm and loving

relationships (songs can be soothing, humorous, interactive)

• Music helps build social skills• Musical concepts such as volume; tempo; beat

and rhythm; pitch and melody; harmony and mood; and tone can be learnt.

• Music is emotionally fulfilling• MUSIC HELPS TO LEARN A NEW

LANGUAGE

What songs should we choose for the classroom?

• The question to ask

Start from the beginning…

• Knee-Jogging rhymes: Trot, trot or This is the way the ladies ride

• Bouncing and Dancing Rhymes :Dance, little Baby

• Patting and Clapping Rhymes : Shoe a little horse

• Lullabies and Rocking Rhymes :Bye baby bunting

• Finger play Rhymes : Round and round the garden, Slowly, Slowly

Some steps beyond...

Nursery Rhymes:

• The Muffin Man

• Little Jack Horner

• Once I caught a fish alive

• Incy wincy spider

• Five little ducks

• ...

And a bit of everything... Some activities to carry out with songs

1. Join in and sing:

Walking through the jungle

And a bit of everything... Some activities to carry out with songs

2. Sing and do the actions:

Alice the camel

And a bit of everything... Some activities to carry out with songs

3. Poetry that works:

Two little blackbirds

And a bit of everything... Some activities to carry out with songs

4. Sing about a topic:

“Animal boogie”

And a bit of everything... Some activities to carry out with songs

5. Using songs as stories:

I know an old lady who swallowed a fly

And a bit of everything... Some activities to carry out with songs

6. For pronunciation input:

The food train chant

Tools for singing

• You Tube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gVZ-Xrx4qY&feature=related

some You tube channels:

http://www.youtube.com/user/1stnurseryrhymes#p/uhttp://www.youtube.com/user/SuperSimpleSongs#p/c/028565C616627F50

http://www.youtube.com/user/jamarookids

...

• Songs for children on line http://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/somethingspecial/songs/oldmacdonald/

http://www.supersimplesongs.com

http://www.britishcouncil.org/kids-songs-seasons.htm

“Singing fills my heart

with warmth and laughter.

May your lives be filled

with songs ALWAYS!”Linda Adamson

http://delicious.com/enriccalvet/songs