For most of us, music is a dominant factor and more than that, we got exposed to it from childhood. From while we're still developing in our mother's womb even. That's why you may have noticed that a baby stops crying, may begin to laugh, may begin to move a part of their body, may sleep even, when music is played or sung to her/him.
Evidently, songs have some effect on children. Also, we see that as time progresses, they blab the words from what they hear as the song. On and on, their basic lessons are learned using songs.
Almost every kiddies movie I know, even their gadgets, strollers, are enabled with songs that are appropriate for them. This goes to show how beneficial songs can be to their development.
As they grow older, and as much as I remember from when I was a kid, I learned the alphabet, numbers, rhymes, states and capitals in my country, stories, and so on from singing about them. Grown as I am, I still rely on some of those songs from then to recall certain things, take the spelling of tha animal, 'Hippopotamus' as an example. Hilariously, I had to sing what rhyme I had been taught which enabled me to learn to s it before I could spell it here. Until now, I rely on songs to remind me certain details, of events, lesson, name it.
It's very difficult yo unforget a song. Let me ask, how many songs from your younger days do you not recall, or, how many did you grow past but once you heard the beat, could not recall?...I thought as much!
From primary through to high school, it was hymns and praise or worship songs. The schools I attended were missionary schools so vertain songs, even singing in class wasn't accepted. The only exceptions were on social meeting days or end of term parties. Other times, they condemned these songs.
My taste for music is a little distinct. Beyond the rhythm and beats that I adore so much, the lyrics is also important to me. I like to be sure that what I sing along to isn't demeaning or sexist, things as that.
When I took up home educating, asides using illustrations and stories, songs proved effective in aiding the lessons. So, even while I censored what I let the kids watch, I explain to them why I don't like a song that they sing. And you know one thing that u have come to realize, ask them to sing lines from some of these songs, you would be amazed that at the point where the vulgar words are used, they become shy to go on. They may not have known the depths of the meanings of the words, but somehow, they knew something was not right about it. Hope this makes some sense.
Asides the fun and enjoyment, music is unarguably impactful to ensure a seamless teaching and learning flow.
One thing I believe though, is that children should be refrained from listening, learning, even singing songs that are inappropriate. It might be 'just another song' but, it surely has its own effects on the child's mind.
This is a topic that could be elaborated on even further, but, I'd conclude here. So this is all for my participation in the SeptemberInleo topic for Day-4
Thanks for gracing this post.
Greetings!