I read a similar question in The Lakeland Ledger blogs. This question made me think about music and how much music I plan in my early childhood lessons and children’s ministry lessons.
Music is great for teaching purposes. There are many songs available to teach on almost any subject or thought. I’ve been gathering songs for the various themes in summer camp. The students love it and they frequently ask to put the music on and dance in the classroom. This week’s theme is space and I chose songs about the solar system; the kids have been learning the names of the planets …and in order, too.
Music is good for students with developmental and learning disabilities as well. I had one boy diagnosed with a severe learning disability and almost the only thing to calm this first-grader down during homework time was music. He listened to music through headphones while the others did their homework. The music teacher at the school helped me with how to approach this boy because her music class was the only class in which he had little to no behavior challenges.
Music is great for children’s worship, too. Even if the students aren’t singing or participating, they are listening in their own ways and they are retaining the message you’re striving to get across. They like the rhythm and movement and any variety of methods works to teach your subject matter.
I love music!
