Music is a highly important part of many people’s lives as it surrounds them daily. Even if one does not like listening to music through headphones on the way to work, they still hear it on the streets, in all shops, from other people’s smartphones. While teenagers and adults can choose the songs they prefer, small children in preschool and kindergarten classrooms are deprived of this opportunity. However, research shows that allowing children to choose their favorite music is beneficial for their development.
After reading the articles, I consider it essential to incorporate music into my future classes. Allowing students in the third grade to listen to their favorite songs will increase their engagement (Sims 6). Kids of this age need to instill the concepts of kindness, mutual assistance, friendship, respect, sincerity, courage, and truth. Usually, these concepts are illustrated in many songs from Disney, Pixar, and DreamWorks cartoons. I would analyze the texts of these songs to make sure that they are age-appropriate. Since children are very fond of characters from such cartoons, it is possible to listen to these songs in the classroom and ask children to retell how they understood the meaning of a song or a line.
Further, it is also essential to listen to classical music. To encourage active listening and do my best to make the students love this music, I will ask them to paint or draw the shapes of the melody as they listen to it, clap the beat, or talk about the mood of the composition (National Music Center 2). Sometimes, I will allow the children to choose the songs or compositions they would like to listen to. I think that this choice will belong to a student who was the most active and engaged in the last lesson. Overall, I will incorporate music actively in the lesson plan to educate kids about some core concepts and will also allow them to listen to their favorite songs while they are busy with other tasks.
Works Cited
National Music Center. “Active Listening Guide: Helping Your Students Engage with Music”. National Music Center. Web.
Sims, Wendy L. “Individual Music Listening as an Option for Free-Choice Time in Early Childhood Classrooms.” Perspectives, vol. 6, no. 3, 2011, pp. 5-8.