This year at Metcalf, we have increased music education programming for students in our younger grades. I have been assisting Ms. Mattoon (our outstanding general education Pre-Kindergarten teacher here at Metcalf) with weekly music classes in our Pre-Kindergarten classrooms. We are using John Feierabend's music and movement curriculum, First Steps in Music for Preschool and Beyond in our classes. Metcalf was honored to host a conference with Dr. Feierabend in September where many professionals (both from Metcalf and other schools/organizations) were able to learn from the author and practice his techniques.
I am no stranger to music education and firmly believe in the value of music education for all children. I actually began my undergraduate work as a Music Education major before switching to Communication Sciences and Disorders and graduated with a Minor in Music. In the evenings, I am currently teaching a few private piano students (and have done so since high school). During my work as an Early Intervention therapist, I often incorporate music and movement into my speech, language and listening therapy sessions. Formal research aside, I have anecdotally seen that music education helps increase children's attention, problem solving skills, social language skills, and language skills/concept knowledge. Plus...music is just good, plain FUN! Music enjoyment, skill and knowledge are gifts that serve individuals from infancy through adulthood.
Today I read an article posted on Facebook by the Auditory Verbal Center of Wheaton: Theory: Music Underlies Language Acquisition. There is a lot of research out there that supports the value of music in brain development...and this is just one short illustration of that.
So today...give it a try! Sing, dance and be joyful with your children and students!
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