APPROACH OF TEACHING USING MUSIC IN PRIMARY GRADES

Everyone knows that music is an important part of the life of people. The people of long ago believed that music had a magic powers. Man’s first musical instrument was body. He would stomp his feet, clap his hands, and beat his chest. He would express his feelings of love, sadness and anger through music.…


Everyone knows that music is an important part of the life of people. The people of long ago believed that music had a magic powers. Man’s first musical instrument was body. He would stomp his feet, clap his hands, and beat his chest. He would express his feelings of love, sadness and anger through music. Even today music is believed to work magic upon people who make worthy use of magic during their leisure time.

Using music as a tool of learning in the primary grades would be very beneficial to the pupils. Music can enhance the cognitive and physical Development of children. Children develop skills and appreciation as they interact while participating in musical activities, they become more active, energetic and enjoyable as they start the day with musical exercises and activities. Through music children can explore space, develop language and communication skills, increase sensory awareness and express themselves through rhythm, gesture, time and space ( EDWARDS 2010 ).

Some of the approach of teaching using music in primary grades are listed. It will guide teachers how to enrich and engage children in musical activities.

SINGING – as the children are singing the song, ask them to tap on their laps to keep a steady beat. This constant tapping on their lap enables the children to keep time and stay focused on their task. According to research an awareness of steady beat can influence the way young children assimilate speech patterns, which in turn affects their reading and writing abilities ( Education Tuesday, 2002 )

BODY PERCUSSION – It is appropriate to begin with the child and with what she or he has – their body. This allows children to think out of the box as they explore the multiple ways of making music with their bodies. A few examples of body percussion are stomping feet, taping on the lap, and partner high fives.

LOCOMOTIVE MOVEMENT – children are born knowing how to move. Emphasize the importance of providing children the opportunities to move as it not only aids their muscular development, but also brings them pure enjoyment. Movement enhances both kinesthetic and spatial awareness.

INSTRUMENT PLAY – children enjoy experimenting, and manipulating musical instruments. The handling of various types of instruments enables children to build on their eye-hand coordination. It is important to ensure that classroom is well stocked with a variety of musical instruments, including hand made instruments.

These approaches can open up all possibilities. Through the use of different approaches of teaching, children’s learning will enriched and internalized.

By: ZYRA D. FACTORAN/TEACHER 1/ SAMAL NORTH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL