music education Archives - Page 6 of 6 - Early Learning Childhood Education

12/08/201415/04/2015

Early Childhood Conference of the Performing Arts 2014

Based on the theme of ‘Learning Through Musical Play’, the 19th Early Childhood Conference of the Performing Arts takes place in Victoria this weekend, presented by the Victorian Orff Schulwerk Association.

As you can imagine, this conference is something that the Bonkers Beat team is passionate about and we are proud to announce that Galina Zenin will be among the exceptional collection of presenters at this year’s conference.

The EECPA 2014 program comprehensively covers various elements of music and education, right through from exploration of holistic education to boosting your confidence and renewing your enthusiasm.

The keynote speaker is a special guest from the USA, Lynn Kleiner and she has a wealth of amazing musical approaches to education to share with us:

Lynn Kleiner will introduce delightful rhymes, folk songs, dances, world music, classical pieces as well as instruments for the youngest music makers. Children become sensitive listeners, considerate participants, & successful musicians. The use of language, movement, rhythm & melody in a game-like atmosphere develops mental concentration, coordination, self-concept & creativity, while building an excellent foundation for future musical pursuits. From the beginning, the ideas & contributions of even the youngest music maker are recognized & encouraged. Everyone, including the adults are viewed as successful music makers.

Where: Genazzano FCJ College, Kew, Victoria
When: August 16 and 17, 2014

To join us at ECCPA 2014, register online here: http://www.vosa.org/index.php/Registration/36-eccpa-2014-registration

To find out more about Lynn Kleiner’s Teacher Training Course held across Kew and Caulfield locations in Victoria from August 16-19, click here: http://www.vosa.org/index.php/events/35-lynn-kleiner-teacher-training-course

28/07/201428/07/2014

Engaging Multiple Intelligences

When it comes to education at any level, we often see great emphasis placed on two areas of intelligence – verbal or English and maths. Intelligence quotient (IQ) tests and many academic tests predominantly measure aptitude in these areas. While we believe in the importance of these areas, we are also passionate about the idea of each person having multiple intelligences’ and that each one of these areas should be nurtured in early childhood education and beyond.

The term ‘multiple intelligences’ refers to a theory by American developmental psychologist Howard Gardner, who proposed that there are eight kinds of intelligence and of course we each possess skills within these. The eight areas Dr Gardner identified are:

Musical – a great understanding of music and often enjoy singing or tapping away
Linguistic – talented when it comes to words. These children may enjoy reading, writing and telling stories
Logical-mathematical – ability in maths and patterns. Skilled in strategy games
Bodily-kinesthetic – great physical ability when it comes to sports and expressing oneself physically
Spatial – often think visually and have well-developed artistic ability
Intrapersonal – understanding of their own emotions and desires with the ability to be self-motivated
Interpersonal – perceptive and leaders among peers with exceptional communication skills and ability to understand the feelings of others
Naturalist – a natural aptitude for recognising and classifying elements in nature, from animals to plants

Here are some really great links that offer comprehensive information on how to identify where one’s strengths lie when it comes to these seven areas, as well as supporting and opposing theories and the eights type of intelligence that Dr Gardner later identified: ‘naturalist’, referring to an ability to recognise elements in nature.

LINKS:
http://childdevelopmentinfo.com/learning/multiple_intelligences/
http://www.examiner.com/article/what-are-multiple-intelligences
http://www.earlychildhoodnews.com/earlychildhood/article_view.aspx?ArticleID=251
http://www.professorlamp.com/ed/TAG/7_Intelligences.html
As you can see, each child can fit into many of these intelligence categories to varying degrees. This broader view of intelligence equips educators and parents alike with the ability to teach in a way that can enhance these areas and allow children to blossom in the areas they are naturally destined to excel in.

Visit the Bonkers Beat Facebook page and share your ideas when it comes to educational techniques that focus one or more particular areas – we’d love to hear from you.

01/07/201401/07/2014

The Magic of Music

It’s no secret that the Bonkers Beat team is passionate about music and the magic it can bring to children’s lives, but our belief in music as a part of early childhood education is based on science just as much as it is on enjoyment.

There is a huge amount of studies that indicate the benefits of music – just last week researchers from Boston added to the list, concluding that music enhances the ability to generally manage in life. This isn’t surprising when you consider the fact that music connects with children on every level, from the physical to the emotional and intellectual, engaging the whole brain – now that’s impressive.

Many educational institutions include minimal music, if at all, but the research is strong – music needs to be on the agenda, specifically in early childhood education where the benefits can be particularly notable for children aged from one to five years.

Putting the pleasure of music aside, let’s take a look at some of the greatest benefits of music and its contribution to children’s development. Music Play For Life (http://www.musicplayforlife.org) refers to a 2001 study in Switzerland involving more than 1200 children, saying “when 3 other curriculum classes were replaced with music classes, young children made more rapid developments in speech and learned to read easier. They also learned to like each other more, were less stressed and enjoyed school more”.

It is clear from looking at a child’s response to music that they enjoy it – the emotional response to smile and sing along, combined with the physical response to move their bodies all demonstrate the connectedness children feel to music.

Early childhood educator April Kaiser from the USA compiled a wonderful list of the skills (http://www.niu.edu/ccc/resources/importanceofmusicandmovement.pdf) that music and movement can help to develop and many of them are absolutely crucial to overall development:

1. Participating in a group

2. Social skills

3. Express emotions

4. Enhance self?concept by sharing music and dance of each other’s culture

5. Refine listening skills?noticing changes in tempo or pitch

6. Awareness of movement and body positions

7. Creativity and imagination

8. Learn new words and concepts

9. Explore cause and effect

10. Develop large motor skills

11.Improve balance, coordination and rhythm through dance and movement activities

12. Improve small motor skills?learning finger plays and playing musical instruments.

(Sources: The Creative Curriculum for Preschool Children by Diane Trister Dodge and Laura J. Colker)

Got something to add? We’d love to hear your thoughts on the magic that music can bring to the lives of children on our Facebook page.