The Use of Music to Promote Positive Changes in Children
10.20.2015
In our own lives, it is safe to assume that we have all been touched by music in one way or another. That favorite song that always brings a smile and reminds you of a special person. The music you listen to when you need to relax…the music that helps you concentrate. Or perhaps you play a musical instrument in your leisure time.
If you haven’t been using music as part of your therapy interventions, here is a reminder of what a powerful impact music can also have on a child. Not only does the use of music increase the fun factor during Occupational Therapy sessions, here are a few other advantages of including music in your pediatric treatment sessions:
- Boost Memory- while recalling and singing the lyrics
- Promote Praxis- while performing action songs
- Reinforce Academic Concepts- children’s songs have lyrics that teach an endless range of topics from colors, alphabet, body parts, solar system, and mathematics.
- Increase Attention & Self-Regulation- music may positively alter a child’s mood, focus, and activity level.
We recently came across an extraordinary children's musician who uses her own educational music as a means to teach specific early childhood concepts, skills, and information to young children.
Canadian songwriter and educator Nancy Kopman ("Music With Nancy") has been creating short, catchy, fun songs designed to be used as teaching tools for over 15 years, attracting thousands of followers of teachers, homeschoolers, caregivers, preschool administrators, parents and, of course, young children from babies to 10-year-olds.
Her YouTube Channel, "Music With Nancy", boasts colorful animated videos to supplement her musical lessons, including "The 7 Continents and 5 Oceans", "The Animals", "The Canada Song" (which teaches the provinces and territories in Canada) and "Planets, Planets", to name a few.
Nancy's experience in the classroom herself is clearly evident when visiting her iTunes page, where educators and families can download her music, with titles like "It's Time to Tidy Up", "What's the Weather?", "Right and Left", "The Vowels", "The Backwards Alphabet", "Finger Shapes", "Hello, Hello" and "Goodbye, Goodbye". There is a song for all occasions and all themes--and there are more songs on the way--Nancy is finishing up the recording process of her 4th album, "Shadow", due out this year.
If you are looking for an instant music teacher in the comfort of your classroom, car or home, look no further--just put her music on and watch the learning and self-esteem grow right alongside your children!
Related Topics: Early Intervention , Music, School Based OT, Sensory Processing/Self-Regulation
