Explain the relationship between music and listening. Provide an example of a formal activity that you might lead children in to help improve their skills in listening to music.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Listening is a prerequisite to understanding and using music. Children would not be able to identify environmental sounds, learn new songs, or move to the rhythm of music if they did not first listen. The environment is full of sounds, which can be brought to children’s attention. Periodically direct children’s attention to the sounds that surround them—the birdsong, car horn, airplane drone, slamming door, or flushing toilet. This practice can begin in infancy. By pointing out sounds, you are focusing children’s attention on what often has become just background noise. In the midst of an activity (for instance, during circle time), you might occasionally suggest that the children close their eyes, listen carefully, and share what they hear. It is amazing how much sound there is in the silence! Listening should not be relegated to a once-a-year topic, when you discuss hearing as one of the senses; it should be a frequent focus of activities. You can also provide good music as an integral part of each day by playing a record or tape during activity time or outdoor time. In planned, formal listening activities, the primary objectives will be to encourage and sharpen children’s skills in listening to music. An example of a formal activity that can help improve children’s skills in listening to music is instructing children to clap to the beat, being sure to speed up or slow down as the song gets faster or slower.