In our classrooms, music is a fantastic way to teach vocabulary, reinforce concepts, scaffold articulation, reinforce routines and help children transition between activities.
Here is a link to an article about using Music in the classroom.
A great strategy we use in the classroom is called the Cloze. Begin a song and then pause and see if your child will fill in the blank. Start with familiar songs, leave off a bit more each time to encourage reciprocal participation.
We also use Music to set the mood. Upbeat tunes help us through the long afternoon, slow melodies help us calm down our bodies.
Musical instruments are used to practice the back and forth exchange between communication partners. They are used to punctuate repeated lines in a favorite book. They can help us demonstrate repeating, extending and creating patterns. They are also used to practice following directions and following social cues from peers.
You may hear your child humming a tune or repeating a few words from our favorite songs. I hope this makes you smile! -Amanda Berndt