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[Back to index of April 2008 articles] Children Learn Through the Joys of Music By Margaret M. (Peggy) Treadwell Our grandchildren remind us that children are born with an innate joy in music. Four-year-old Lily has found her voice in creating tunes and lyrics, which she sings in her bath or first thing upon waking. Her sister, Nola, 3, quickly learns words to songs on the radio concerning adult concepts of love and yearning, which she loudly belts out as if on stage. And John, 3, is a guitar player who wildly strums his made-up pieces usually ending with the ABC song. They call me "Singing Nana" and frequently ask for my rendition of the WWII songs my mother taught me when I was their age. The music program at St. Columba's began in the 1970s, when rector Bill Swing and nursery school director Sylvia Buell wanted to give younger people a voice in the congregation and something meaningful to do in church. Over the years this first choir grew to include a Primary Choir (grades one and two), Boy and Girl Choirs (third through eighth grades) and The Gallery Choir (ninth through 12th grades). Parents and grandparents became involved in helping kids get to church on time to meet their responsibilities, obligations and commitments. One of the program's goals is to keep the innate joy of music alive. In an atmosphere of fun and encouragement, a group success is a personal triumph, which gives children a sense of well-being and dignity. No one ever is told they have no talent or don't sing well; sometimes a child sings "off key" because they want to hear their voice distinct from others. Even when they don't have vocal range, they expand their abilities if not discouraged or hurt by criticism. The youngest singers learn basic rudimentary diction and how to sing at their own level in a group. Soon they outgrow the fear of singing in front of the congregation, and this self-confidence spills over into dancing, acting and other areas of their lives.
Music helps self-regulation as children figure out how to move and understand their bodies, including how to sit still. Then you can create your own songs. The following example is one my granddaughter, Lily Gordon, sings in her bath: The wind blows softly and it pushes me to you. What can parents and grandparents do to promote music at home? Here are recommendations from the pros at St. Columba's:
"Teaching music is not my main purpose. I want to make good citizens. If children hear fine music from the day of their birth and learn to play it, they develop sensitivity, discipline and endurance. They get a beautiful heart." – Shinichi Suzuki With appreciation to St. Columba's musicians for their collaboration. Judy Dodge, Director of Music and Organist, John Hurd, Associate Director of Music and Organist, Diane Heath, Music Associate, and Kate McLynn, Music and Creative Movement Teacher, St. Columba's Nursery School. Margaret M. "Peggy" Treadwell, LICSW, is a family, individual and couples therapist and teacher in private practice. She can be contacted at PeggyMcDT@aol.com. [Back to index of April 2008 articles]
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