by Mindy Cabral, The Magazine of Santa Clarita, February 2010
Have you noticed how kids enjoy watching the same movie or singing the same song over and over again? Children love what they know! But how did they get to know it in the first place? Children learn through their senses. They see with their eyes, hear with their ears, touch their hands, and even taste with their tongue. Eventually these senses work together for learning (though one may be more dominant than the others). Children will learn, understand, and enjoy what they are doing more when they are actively participating with their senses.
The key to successful learning is repetition with variety. When children experience musical concepts by using their senses they will better understand and eventually internalize what is being taught. Here is an example of how you can introduce the concept of high and low pitches:
1. Kids move their body and arms up high as they sing high, then move their body down low to the ground as they sing low.
2. Listen to a high sound in nature such as a bird call, and a low sound such as a lion roar.
3. Watch someone play an instrument that makes high sounds such as a flute or violin, then watch someone play on an instrument that makes low sounds such as a trombone or bass drum.
4. Play instruments and vocalize these high and low sounds on instruments that can also make these types of sounds. Kids often have access to percussion instruments or a piano/keyboard. Play on the larger instruments (low left side of the keyboard), and the smaller instruments (high right side of the keyboard).
5. Test time! See how well the kids know the concept of high and low. As the children play the instruments, have them determine if the sound was high or low (without help). You could also play a sound and have the children circle an image that represents high or low sounds such as a bird in a tree for high or a lion on the ground for low.
Little School of Music uses a variety of activities like these to teach basic fundamentals of music and creativity. Classes are available for children of all ages and levels.
It’s not too late to join a music class! Call or click TODAY to reserve your place! Semester begins FEBRUARY 1, 2010 – 661-222-2239 www.LittleSchoolofMusic.com
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