Spiritual Effects of Music

I have been performing music for children for 18 years. As a N.C. certified teacher who grew weary trying to find a teaching position in the Asheville area, I realized I was going to have to get very creative. Playing the guitar and teaching children are both things that I love, so I decided I would teach them with my guitar. For all these years I have conducted music programs in preschools and daycares every morning. Children use rhythm sticks and cylinder shakers which I provide for them. And sometimes we use drums.

[break]When I walk through the door, the children whisper loudly, “The Moozic Lady’s here!” When I pick up my guitar, children begin requesting certain songs. When I give out the instruments, children get really excited and interested. I hand out cases of identical instruments so there is no struggle over who gets which one.  I encourage the children to use their “musician’s manners” as they wait for me to give out the instruments. The children beam and shine! You have never seen so many smiles.[break]

Besides being a lot of fun, music time is extremely important. Young children learn best through movement. Tapping rhythm sticks and using shakers builds physical and mental coordination, and greatly enhances all areas of early development. We tap out short familiar rhymes, rhythms and steady beats. We jump and stomp and dance and sway. We sing soft lullabies.[break]

There is also a spiritual effect of using music in early childhood. Playing an instrument and singing can be healing in that it allows a person to change his or her energy level. Music can change our moods because it provides an outlet for emotions. Music time can provide a safe space to express silly feelings, loving feelings or angry feelings.  We can use music as a way to calm, focus and soothe. Participating in music can restore balance to the soul, mind and body.[break]

And we can use music to arouse hope in our children and to empower them with positive thoughts. The positive lyrics and messages in a song can shape thoughts and attitudes. Musical lyrics can give the children the kind of powerful thinking they will need to succeed. In this day and age we are learning to create our lives through our thoughts, our words, our songs and our harmonies. We can literally create what happens to us by how we feel about ourselves and the world around us. We can teach our children to sing songs that will remind them of the beauty and love within them, songs that will validate their feelings, songs that will allow them to express creatively, and songs that will soothe and reassure.[break]

In addition to teaching folk music to young children, I also teach Native American chanting and drumming, and provide authentic drums for the children. Even very young children sit together on the floor and share a drum. Drumming and chanting is a wonderful way to practice rhythm and honor the Earth at the same time. Native American chants inspire us to take care of Mother Earth, and inspire us to hold a steady beat. Children are particularly eager to get their hands on a drum. Any kind of drum will do. I’ve never seen a child that didn’t want to drum.[break]

Drumming as a group provides a sense of unity. When we all drum together we are united. Even if we are playing a different beat, we are all united as one.