FROM MELODY TO MEMORY: MUSIC FOR YOUNG CHILDREN

Music is one of the most effective tools a teacher has for communicating with young children. It affects the child's emotions, intellect, physical and spiritual well-being. Music should be an integral part of the early childhood curriculum. If you want learning to take place, plan your music as carefully as you would any other aspect of the curriculum.

In the Christian education setting, let music be the thread that weaves the Bible concept, Bible verse, and life-related experience into a whole.

Use Music Effectively

1. Use music to teach lesson concepts, Bible stories, and Bible verses. It is easier to remember the words to songs than the concepts behind them. Teach the songs to teach the lesson. The Holy Spirit will bring the songs to mind when the children need the lessons most.

2. Use music to help children share with their parents. Children may have trouble telling their parents what they learned in Sunday School. However, they will remember familiar songs and sing them at home. Parents may hear the whole Bible stories and verses through songs their children sing. They will hear about God's love. They will hear their children express love for God.

3. Use music to help children express their feelings. Children may have trouble understanding what it means to worship or praise God. But they CAN sincerely worship and praise God through song. Emotions impossible to explain with words often emerge through music.

4. Use music to build self-confidence. Children can experience success through music. They can learn the words to songs and sing with a group. They can keep time with rhythm instruments. Some can even help lead the music.

5. Use music to improve discipline. Playing quiet background music will help the children relax. They will be less likely to run around, use raised voices, or get into mischief. Let the children sing a few active songs. They will be more likely to listen when you want them to.

Choose Music Carefully

1. Look carefully at the words and phrases. Can the children understand them? What images could the phrases paint in the minds of impressionable children? Can you adequately explain the meanings of unfamiliar words and phrases?

2. Be sure the text of the song is doctrinally and scripturally correct. The words do not have to come directly from the Bible. However, they should say something of spiritual significance and be in harmony with the message of the Bible.

3. Choose songs with words that mean exactly what they say. Young children think in very literal terms. They do not understand the double meanings of words or the symbolic ideas that adults take for granted.

4. As much as possible, choose songs within the comfortable voice range for preschool children. This is usually middle C up to A. Some older kindergartners can reach C one octave above middle C. Seldom can the children reach higher or lower notes comfortably.

5. Include songs with a variety of rhythms and tempos. However, be sure the melody, rhythm, tempo. and text are singable for your particular group.

6. Pick songs intentionally. Choose songs that relate to the sorties, conversation, and learning activities.

Make Music Fun

1. Use familiar songs. Children enjoy singing the same songs over and over. They feel more confident and involved singing songs they know well.

2. Introduce no more than one or two new songs per lesson. Know a song thoroughly before you begin to teach it. Play a recording of the song. Sing it in the context of the day's activities. Later, in a structured music time, have children echo it after you phrase by phrase. Finally, have the children sing it with you.

3. The children's vocal chords have not yet developed fully. To encourage the children to "sing so loud the adults upstairs can hear" not only strains their vocal chords but also produces sounds that are neither beautiful nor in tune.

4. Don't call attention to children who aren't singing. Some young children prefer to listen. Let them. Children can benefit from the activity without singing. They will enjoy the music, hear the words, and learn the concepts taught.

5. For variety, let children use rhythm instruments such as rhythm sticks, bells, sand blocks, shakers, tambourines, and drums.

-- by Janet Reeves

--used by permission: RESOURCE, a quarterly magazine for Sunday School teachers and workers. Volume 19, Number 1. WordAction Publishing Company. Kansas City MO.