[HANASHIR:9438] Re: Torah in song for 5-6 year olds

[Carol Boyd Leon <cbleon...>]

Raquel's email helped make a good point about music for younger kids.

Although some young children are capable of parroting the words and melodies 
to more complex songs, I believe that most of the time they haven't the 
foggiest notion what it all means (even if it's explained initially).  For 
music to truly TEACH preK and early elementary kids, songs need to be 
selected that are geared toward their mental age and their vocal ability.  
That means understandable vocabulary and concepts, a limited number of words 
preferably with lots of repetition, a limited vocal range, and a rhythm that 
appeals to them.  A song is truly "theirs" when they can go home singing it. 
  If they're shown ways to move to it with interpretive hand motions, 
signing, clapping and stomping, or playing rhythm instruments, then their 
possession is further strengthened--as is their enjoyment of the music and 
their personal link to Judaism.  A song which requires the music 
teacher/songleader to sing much of it solo -- no matter how lovely the song 
is -- is not nearly as effective.

Although I sing with all ages (including adults), I spend much of my week 
doing music with hundreds of very young children at 5 different schools.  I 
think our special role as Jewish music teachers is to help these kids relate 
to Judaism in a meaningful and age-appropriate way.  Then, as they get 
older, the music we present to them can and should grow in sophistication -- 
and they'll be ready for it.

Carol Boyd Leon
Songwriter/songleader/music educator
CBLeon (at) hotmail(dot)com
www.geocities.com/CBoydLeon


>Subject: [HANASHIR:9432] Re: Torah in song for 5-6 year olds
>Date: Thu, 28 Jun 2001 12:20:40 EDT
>
>Meris -  the songs on Kol Bamidbar ARE great ....for OLDER kids... too many 
>words for K. (not to mention too many big, hard words "salvation",
>sanitation", etc.)...
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