Have you ever watched a group of kids of all abilities singing, playing rhythm instruments, dancing around the room? I feel inspired by the sight seeing the joy and exuberance in the childrens' faces and energized movements.

Music that is upbeat is uplifting. And depending on the melody or tone or beat of music it can bring on different moods, in fact, music itself seems to have a mood.

When a child moves to music, whether across the floor or sitting in place playing a rhythm instrument or clapping, or being helped with clapping by a partner, the tone and rhythm can bring a smile of happiness to a child.

Children do not need to be gifted musically or excel in academics to enjoy music. It is a feeling and expression from the gut; literally felt in the body and expressed viscerally through movement in rhythms or through an instrument.

While teaching music, rhythms, large motor skills to children of mixed abilities, I've been hard-pressed to identify those with learning disabilities. Music is the great equalizer in my opinion, allowing those with lesser academic skills to be right on par with their peers.

And the praise given every child sometime in the music lesson or session carries on into the regular academic day with a boost in self-esteem and confidence that allows their best effort to come forward. The children feel they can truly succeed.

When I was a student in elementary school, way back when, we started the day by lining up on the playground and marching into our classrooms while singing. That got us off to a great start on the day, because we were practicing marching and swinging our arms in opposition to our legs, (right arm swings forward when left foot steps forward). We were feeling enthused by singing, energized to begin paperwork at our desks.

By the way, we sang patriotic songs as we marched in. I have fond memories, still, of the happiness I felt singing "My Country 'Tis of Thee, Sweet Land of Liberty," words by Samuel Francis Smith.

In summary, music uplifts and inspires, and can energize for paperwork that follows. Praising a child for their musical efforts builds self esteem that carries over to a feeling of self confidence in the regular classroom. Kids moving and singing and playing instruments can be on par with kids of all abilities, and music is fun and enlivening!

Article by Susan Kramer

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For offline reading and teaching

Rhythms and Dances for School Age Kids
For grades K-12 in 100 pages, how to teach 16 rhythmic dance steps illustrated and described, plus 9 little dances, 18 ABA and other sequencing combinations, and 4 advanced group dances - for learning kinesthetically about math sets, sequencing, and language phrasing and rhythms. Can be adapted for special needs kids.


For younger kids

Rhythms and Dances for Toddlers and Preschoolers
How to teach toddlers and preschoolers rhythms, floor exercises, large motor skills, expressive dance, kinesthetic mini-lessons and full dances in a 98 pages including photos and illustrations.