MUSIC-TIME GOALS
by William Janiak, MS, RMT
From “We Learn By Doing” Curriculum #1
http://www.welearnbydoing.com
The stories are just endless and uplifting. I have seen a child who was in a wheelchair with cerebral palsy in all 4 extremes and labeled with a hearing deficiency, slowly stand-up, turn around to hang on to the front of his wheelchair for support, and then wiggle to the dance music for the first time in his life. He never used a wheelchair again. At another event a pre-school child, who was a loner and never played with other children, suddenly participated with a group because he was motivated by the music from my “Songs About Me” CD. Another child, a 5 year old with a hearing problem, showed this author how to snap fingers while her hands were under sink water, which she filled up on her own.
My CDs were first created for children in special education, and for the inclusive young child. Now, these same CDs have reached into the early childhood arena; valued by numerous pre-schools and day care centers throughout the USA.
I offer a popular workshop program entitled, "We Learn by Doing", which provides "music time" activities that offer ideas, concepts and activities to help enhance the academic, social, emotional and physical needs in the classrooms for our students. The workshop provides a group participation setting for all activities taught to the children and the curriculums used in the schools. It brings out children's self-expressions and reactions when the music evokes a strong emotional impact. It allows children to learn and express themselves with confidence in their attempts to sing, sway their bodies, dance, or clap. These songs were written to involve "everyday living concepts." It becomes an excellent medium for group experiences. It allow interactions to be acceptable and successful in a non-threatening way for children at different levels of abilities.
Yes, music concept songs do set-up goals which are used according to the group and/or individual situation such as:
1. developing a sense of rhythm.
2. improving speech and language.
3. providing an acceptable means for emotional release.
4. improving self-confidence.
5. training to follow directions.
6. developing self-control, increasing retention and attention spans.
7. encouraging growth in creativity and imagination.
8. correlating music with other subjects.
9. improving coordination and motor control.
10. strengthening self-expression.
11. developing interpersonal communication.
Music is a natural phenomenon operating in the child's world and brings out the energy for a child to learn the concepts of "everyday skills."
Bill Janiak’s "We Learn By Doing Workshops"
47 Years of Professional Consulting and 62 Different Training's
Consultant, Trainer, Speaker, and Artist
19131 NW 39th Court
Miami, Florida 33055
Business: (305) 625-2128
Fax: (305) 474-8136
E-mail: williamjaniak@att.net
http://www.welearnbydoing.com
http://blog.musicwithbill.com
LISTED in SPEAKER’S BUREAU: ACEI, SECA, IAN, and FLAYC