We hear a lot about why music is good for children, particularly in terms of its impact on later academic achievement. Why does music matter? Does Mozart make you smarter in the short and long term? What are the many benefits of a musical life from birth?
Last week, we held a highly informative and fascinating teleclass, generously sponsored by Explore+Discover and expertly facilitated by early childhood educators, Renee Bock and Marlowe Rinsler: Music Matters- Learning for the Hearts & Minds of Young Children.
During this teleclass, Renee and Marlowe explored such issues as why music is an important part of life at home and in the classroom, how can we think about music developmentally, what musical intelligence is – and how I know if my child has it, what music has to do with relationship building and bonding, how singing and reading impact each other, and more!
In case you missed the live class, you will find a link to the recorded teleclass HERE for your ongoing reference and support.
Our experts are excited to share some blogs on children and music:
- Make Musical Memories: Sing to Your Baby Everyday
- Beyond Twinkle Twinkle: What Do I Sing Next?
- Music and Babies
- Clapping with Babies: A Joyful Sound
As Renee and Marlowe mentioned during the class, one of the best ways to share music with children is by reading them illustrated songbooks. Here are some great ones that they recommend:
- Fire Truck by Ivan Ulz
- Today is Monday by Eric Karl
- We All Sing With The Same Voice by J. Philip Miller
- The Fox Went Out on a Chilly Night, by Peter Spier
- Baby Beluga by Raffi
- Tingalayo by Raffi
- Down By The Bay by Raffi
- The Lady With the Alligator Purse by Mary Ann Hoberman
- Miss Mary Mack by Mary Ann Hoberman
- Goin’ To The Zoo by Tom Paxton
Great music to listen to with very young children includes:
Smithsonian Folkways Children’s Music Collection: An assortment of artists, such as the great Ella Jenkins (whose work is worth exploring on its own). You’ll also find songs in Spanish, Yiddish and Swahili. Such a treasure!
Songs from the Old School: A funky, soulful collection by Ivan Ulz, which includes the new favorite tune “Fire Truck” and musical accompaniment to the classic Ruth Krauss book, The Carrot Seed.
Leadbelly Sings for Children: This album features the sounds of classic blues master Leadbelly, who plays the twelve string guitar for adults and little folks too.
Going to the Zoo: Tom Paxton’s wonderful world of soothing kids’ songs for kids, which is also a great book written by Paxton and Karen Lee Schmidt.
Peter and the Wolf: Narrated by David Bowie, this is can’t-miss album is a great way to expose your child to classical music and great storytelling.
All listeners are invited to tour Explore + Discover’s center. To schedule a tour you can reach us at [email protected]. You are also welcome to attend our Friday morning Open Art Studio program at 8:30 at 444 Second Avenue and 26th Street in New York City. We hope you’ll join us to see what amazing early care looks like!
Renee Bock and Marlowe Rinsler are dedicated early childhood educators who share a commitment to bringing music into the lives of young children at the Explore+Discover infant toddler center in New York City. Renee holds a Master’s in Early Childhood Education from Bank Street College and Marlowe has a Master’s in Early Childhood from Hunter College. They taught next door to teach other at the Saul and Carol Zabar Nursery School at JCC Manhattan where they would swap songs and share musical ideas. They believe that singing every day is good for children, teachers and parents and that you really can save the world “one guitar at a time.”
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