#413 Songs in Their Heads

What do these children know about music? What can they do?

• The things those children know about music are songs or chants they use during recess. They know that certain songs go with specific games and activities. They also know that some of the songs have certain beats, rhythms, and pitches that identify what song they are using.

How did they learn what they know, or how are they learning?

• The children know all of this from games they have played during recess or even from stories or tv shows they have seen. Some of the chants or songs they use are made from the children themselves. They use these songs or chants to get other kids’ attention or to use in whatever activity they are involved in.

What surprised you, if anything, about these children? What did you learn from them, or what reactions or responses did you have as you read?

• Something that surprised me from the children was that they have so much rhythm and music making without much training and they do not care about being right or wrong, they just want to have fun with the other children. Reading this story, made me reflect back to when I was the age of these children. I do not remember much, but I do remember playing some of the games from the reading and even some that we made up. It made me realize that as kids, we just want to have fun and one way to do that is by using music.

What are the implications for your career in teaching and music, based on what you’ve read?

• Based on what I read, my implications for my career in teaching and music is to make music fun and enjoyable. The children really do not care about making mistakes. The joy that they get is playing with some sort of musical activity. Music does not always have to be super technical and can straight to the point and even with some mistakes.

Pose two questions of your own for prompting conversations in class. Questions might have to do with something you are curious about, something you want to know more about, something that troubles you, or anything else that interests you.

• What are other ways that children learn how to play and sing all the songs/chants that we also used when we were younger? Do children still play and sing the same songs/games we did when we were younger?