Music: The Fun Way to Smarter, Happier Kids!
In 2006 I did a six month full time internship in the Music Therapy room at the Fraser Preschool in Minnesota. I worked under the direct supervision of a licensed music therapist, in a room with a special floor that vibrated with the music, so kids with hearing loss would plop on the ground and grin, feeling the bass.
I worked with the occupational therapist, physical therapist, and the speech therapy team, using music to help kids reach the goals they had in their IEPs. These goals could be “increase vocalizations” for those with cerebral palsy, so I’d write and research songs with simple repetitions or prompts for funny noises. I still remember a particular student, who had sat silent and bored with me through a few sessions singing things like 5 Little Ducks, but vigorously participated when I’d pause during Wild Thing for him to make a Tarzan call. He needed something novel to inspire him to use his voice.
I had a student whose chart included many diagnoses, including Downs Syndrome, hearing impaired, GI disease, and ODD. I remember the grin on his face while I layed down on the floor with him pretending to be a dinosaur while a Laurie Berkner CD played. I’d sign to him when it was time to jump up and stomp our feet. Then we used dinosaur feet to help him move between classrooms without running off.
I’d get to go into the infant room a couple times per week. I remember being swarmed with babies while I sang! They’d grab onto my knee and haul themselves up, then bounce in time to the music.
All this to say, I have seen how music is good for development. It is good for physical coordination, language skills, reading skills, emotional regulation, pattern recognition, listening skills, and for connection with others. I got valuable experience using music for all ages and stages.
When I build my classes, I try to include moments for any stage of development. Basic sounds and speech skills for the babies, like singing “ma ma” or “da da.” I plan more complicated skills like singing while moving for older kids. I use songs with lots of repetition so they are easy to learn, with lots of goofiness so we are always creating a good mood through music. I also use the principle of entrainment and try to plan softer, slower songs at the end, to wind down and create a sense of calm.
