A connection between Music & Literacy

I was honored to be asked to read at my local school's Read Across America program on behalf of my music studio, First Roots Music Studio.   I offer classes for babies, toddlers, preschoolers and big kids that include a full-range of musical activities to develop the whole child.  I want to engage their entire body and mind into creating music.

I've be a music educator for over 10 years and I've focused on early childhood education for at least 7 of those years.  In my classes, I always bring in a wide variety of material, including literacy.

For young child, the benefits of singing and listening to music are so amazing.  By learning and hearing songs, they are being introduced to new vocabulary.  Music is a natural way for children to develop fluency while speaking or singing.  Rhythm is another thing children in music class are exposed to and it also helps them as they begin reading.  Singing, listening and interactive music activities also are wonderful way to develop emotion.  These are all components that can help children with reading.

I read the children a book called "Jenny Jenkins" which was written based on the song.  The story features a little girl who is asked what color she wants to wear.  Each time she is asked, she comes up with a silly rhyme about why she won't wear that color and says "but I will by a foldy-roldy-tildy-toldy-roll a Jenny Jenkins roll."  These silly repetitive words end each page which is nice for repetition.  By the end of the book, she does decide on the color.

After reading the story, a teacher held up the book for the children to tell me the colors.  Then I sang each verse with them.

We also had the opportunity to view the video I put together.

It was a great day reading and singing for Read Across America!

I am really blessed to be able to share music with so many families in my community.  Seeing the positive effects first hand is the best reward.  It helps me continue to look for creative ways to bring songs, stories and rhymes to life to give children the best musical start - which also helps them academically!