From various studies in world literature, there is no denying that happiness in school is very important for the development of personality and mental health of children. How not, they are at school seven hours a day.
Even in big cities in Indonesia like Jakarta, children start their day from after dawn and return to their homes before sunset. You can imagine if we or the school is not able to present an atmosphere of joy and happiness for children when they learn.
It is not impossible that children will experience less pleasant experiences about studying at school. Fatigue, boredom, stress, and even behavioral disorders can appear at their young age.
Music applications by schools in Australia
There is one simple experience from elementary schools in Australia in their efforts to make children happy and excited about starting the day with very simple ideas. Music. Yes, music makes their morning atmosphere cheerful and happy.
Primary schools in Australia begin their study hours at 9 am. Children are advised to arrive at school not less than 8.30. For those who arrived earlier than 8.30 schools worked with certain communities such as food producers to provide free breakfast. For children arriving at 8:30 a.m., they will be given the opportunity to play first on the school yard.
However, at only 8.55, there was one cheerful song that was announced. In this case, besides music as a marker that learning activities will soon begin, music aims to create a happy atmosphere at the beginning of their learning process.
It is as if the school wants to preach and say "welcome to the place of joy." When the song was announced, the children in attendance were busy preparing learning materials, while children who were still walking towards school were encouraged to accelerate their steps.
School music for mentality and personality
Seeing what Australia does, we can imagine what if Indonesian schools start the day happily and change the bell with songs, then we feel we have more choices of children's songs to play. Like this song, for example: a bright morning song, or a song about friendship, or about thanking the teacher.During breaks we can also bring traditional music from each region. For example, if from Java, there is mushroom music or kodhok ngorek to introduce traditional music.
Meanwhile, as a cover for the learning process, children can play one national struggle song, the last one is inspired by an elementary school in a village in Yogyakarta, which plays songs for your country before school.
In studying music and behavior, music has the power to move the heart. Music / song / tone can affect mood. Imagine if we listen to a song that is alive, then we will dissolve in emotions, if we hear a cheerful rhythm then we will also be excited.
In addition to rhythm, the words in the song are very easy to enter into the subconscious mind of children and become separate messages or knowledge that are remembered to adulthood. Now, of course with this knowledge, it would be wise to choose a morning song that is cheerful and contains a good moral message.
It feels very important for Indonesian children, especially to hear positive things embedded in their subconscious, remembering the many negative things they see, brands listening through the media or they see it directly in life. Messages delivered in songs will usually be stored in memory for longer than in the form of suggestions or words.
5 minutes to start happiness in school
Indeed, dreams for Indonesian children so that they receive their right to feel happy and happy to start their studies at school. Instead they feel happy to hear the bell, listening to music makes them and the atmosphere of the whole school rejoice.
There should be nothing else so that Indonesian children receive their right to feel happy, positive and excited in the midst of their complicated lives.
It's time for schools in Indonesia to bring happiness to them even in a simple way. They are tired of the task all night, learning life.
So 5 minutes of presenting music can be a harmony for their hearts, calm their souls, clear their minds, and smooth their minds. It's time to present a school that builds the character of Indonesian children in a simple and fun way.