{"id":890,"date":"2018-01-16T20:10:31","date_gmt":"2018-01-17T03:10:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/yycmontessori.ca\/?p=890"},"modified":"2018-01-16T20:10:31","modified_gmt":"2018-01-17T03:10:31","slug":"music-in-the-montessori-classroom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/yycmontessori.ca\/music-in-the-montessori-classroom\/","title":{"rendered":"Music in the Montessori Classroom"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Music is a universal language, loved by children and adults in cultures throughout the world. Children have an uninhibited inclination to move, dance, and make music, as well as an innate capacity to appreciate all types of music. Musical activities are included in the daily life of the Montessori classroom and respected as much as other curriculum subjects.<\/p>\n

While many schools bring in a music teacher to give weekly classes, it’s essential that classroom teachers integrate music into everyday activities through song, movement, instruments, music appreciation, the Montessori Bells, and Walking on the Line to music.<\/p>\n

What Children Learn from Music<\/p>\n

Research shows that music is fundamental in early childhood education, helping children to develop in various ways, including problem-solving and logic skills. Language acquisition is enhanced as children learn songs with varied vocabulary, meter, and rhyme. Cultural lessons are enriched with songs about continents, planets, respect for Earth, and much more.<\/p>\n

Music gives children opportunities to perfect their movements and refine coordination, with songs such as “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes,” and “Farmer in the Dell.” Music and movement provide children with ways to express their own unique spirits.<\/p>\n

If You’re Shy about Singing<\/p>\n

Everyone can successfully provide children with opportunities for musical expression. If you’re shy about singing, teach yourself songs by singing along to a CD of children’s songs as you drive. Since children have naturally high voices, you’ll notice that many songs for children are sung quite high to help them match the pitch. When you’re ready to introduce these songs to children, you can play the tune on a lap harp or sing with the CD playing softly in the background.<\/p>\n

If some children rarely join the singing, don’t be discouraged. A parent once told me that her child was spontaneously singing songs he had learned at school. I was surprised because in class he preferred to just listen.<\/p>\n

Music Activities<\/p>\n

Toddlers naturally enjoy singing, dancing, and clapping along to music. Let young children explore percussion instruments such as shakers, drums, and tambourines. In the Montessori primary class, three-year-olds are ready for the Sound Cylinders and Montessori Bells. For Walking on the Line activities, there are several excellent CDs that will inspire children to tiptoe, march, gallop, and skip as the tempo and mood of the music change. (See our article,\u00a0Walking on the Meandering Line<\/em>.)<\/p>\n

Teachers can also create musical activities:<\/p>\n