TEACHING CHILDREN MUSIC

Solfege is the use of syllables to represent musical notation.  There is rhythm solfege, such as "Ta, Ti-Ti Ta-ah" which we use in our Rhythm program, but the more common use of the term "solfege" refers to "Do-Re-Mi-Fa-So-La-Ti-Do".

]I love using solfege for a number of reasons.  For one, the syllables are easy to sing because they all end on a vowel sound.  The best part about solfege is that it gives children (and adults!) a ready vocabulary for recognizing tonal harmony, melodic intervals, the mechanics of transposition, and so much more!  But we'll get into all of that as we dive into deeper theory.  For beginners, solfege is a wonderful tool for singing the scale, learning to sight-read, and developing the musical ear.

Color-coding has many benefits.  My favorite is that it allows children to learn music literacy much like they learn to speak and read.  By color-coding pitches, it makes it MUCH easier for beginners to get started and play the correct notes.  In fact, when discussing the pros and cons of color-coding, the biggest con I often hear is that it makes it TOO easy!  Many parents are hesitant to start a program that will make their children become dependent on color.  However, in my experience, as children progress and their skills advance, the CHILD finds the need to learn to read music without color, and they branch out to learn this process on their own. 

Certainly, when a child begins with a color-code system, they are playing by matching colors, not *really* reading music.  But that's okay, they are focusing on how the song should sound.  The rhythm.  Their fingering.  Technique.  As well as, you know, having fun and experiencing early success.  It's great.  Most children learn to speak before they learn to read.  Color-coding allows children learn to play the piano first, read later.  And trust me, we don't leave that transition to chance.

There are many different music programs that use color-coding, and as far as I know, we are the only program to associate the colors with solfege using "movable Do", rather than a fixed pitch system.

This means that when a song is in "C" major, "Do" is on C, and we color it red.  When a song is in "G" major, "Do" is on G, and we color the G's red.  Our "Movable Do Piano Insert" slides behind the keys, leaving your piano free of sticky residue and gives you the option of taking the color-coded insert with you to place behind the piano at Grandma's house.

This extends the value and life of a color-coded system. When colors are substituted for pitches directly, it is and only can be a short-hand for music notation. C=Red.

Static color systems are great for beginners, but once the child understands what "C" is, there is no reason to use the colors anymore.

Don't get me wrong, I think any color-coded system is a wonderful tool for beginners.  Using colors at all is an engaging way to capture a child's interest.  Many love associating specific pitches with colors because, through consistent, daily practice, it can help young children develop perfect pitch.  As far as it goes, associating pitches themselves with color is a great tool, and so much better than not using color at all.  They serve their purpose well, acting as a bridge to help a child play faster until they have a chance to learn to read music.

However, our method brings the colors with us on our musical journey.  I have had many adults tell me that our piano insert has helped them FINALLY understand how scales work and how musicians transpose music. 

These colors are not just for kids.  Not just for beginners.  By associating colors with scale degrees, we can readily play all the scales in any key.  If a child learns to sing "Twinkle, Twinkle" in solfege, they can play it in any key, instantly!  My kids have done it as young as 3 with the piano insert to guide them.

The colors are not just great for learning to play individual pitches, but for understanding harmony.  Do-Mi-So (red-yellow-blue), Fa-La-Do (green, purple, red), and So-Ti-Re (blue, pink, orange) are the primary chords.  No matter what key a song is in, students will begin to see the patterns of keyboard harmony emerge.  Why?  Because they keep seeing red, yellow, and blue together, no matter what position their hand is in.

Not only does keyboard harmony become more intuitive, children also begin to notice elements of voice leading.  They learn to expect most songs end on "Do".  Musical patterns are easier to see when the colors are based on tonal harmony instead of fixed pitches.

My children have already recognized these patterns on their own JUST by using color-coded piano music.  It's rather exciting to see how much they have picked up through exposure to these highlighted patterns.

Our color-coded system extends far beyond acting as training wheels for playing the piano.  They are a sweet ride to understanding how music works!  Our system is truly unique!

Here are just a few benefits for children who study music:

• Greater emotional intelligence.  Recent studies show that adults who had musical training as children are remarkably more adapt at recognizing emotionally charged sounds.  They are also better at tuning out sounds that have less importance.
• Better language development.  Music training literally enhances the physical wiring in parts of the brain known to be used when processing language, according to studies done by Daniel Levitin.
• A study of other cultures and races through their music gives children an internal look at other societies of the world.  It gives them an opportunity to empathize with the people of history and neighboring countries.  The development of compassion through music provides an opportunity to bridge cultural bias and promotes respect for other races at an early age.
• Music intuitively teaches teamwork and discipline.  When music is created with a group, it requires precision.  An instrument is either in tune, or it isn't.  The notes are either correct or they aren't.  All members of the team work together to create a beautiful work of art.  Home environments that foster music literacy prepare children for musical opportunities in group settings, and in turn, those opportunities will prepare them for life.
• Music teaches courage and gives confidence.  Being brave does not mean that one does not feel fear.  It means that one learns to do scary or hard things in spite of one's fears.  Music performance is one of those experiences that teach a child to overcome their fears, and then rewards them for their efforts as they hear the sound of applause.
• Most importantly, music education teaches a child to be musical.  Sure, scientific studies may confirm what we really already knew, or even surprise us.  But I don't think they should ever undermine the importance of studying music for music's sake.  Going caroling, singing a victory song after a game, singing a happy ditty in the shower or doing the dishes, these are all simple examples of music bringing joy in our everyday life.  Music connects us as a society.  It is a means of self expression, an outlet for creative energy.  Music is enjoyable in its own right, and that beauty should not be underestimated.
  

You can set aside as little or as much time for music as you want.  Even a little bit of music time can go a long way.  Obviously, the more you put into it, the more you'll get back.

Many people are surprised when they find out how little I make my own children practice, especially as the creator of a website dedicated to music education.  I am also a homeschooling mother and have undertaken ALL of the subjects for my children.  I just happen to create the music resources and outsource the rest.  I have six children and we have a tight budget.  None of our kids are musical prodigies, but all of them have a solid foundation in music, and are, I think it is safe to say, above average when it comes to music.

My children are welcome to do music in their free time, and they often do.  However, their structured music time is about 30 minutes a day.  15 minutes of that consists of me sitting down with them at the piano for deliberate practice.  The other 15-ish minutes is for group music time, where we might play a theory game, watch an educational video, learn a new song, or run through flashcards.  You can read more about why I've settled on 15 minutes of practice in this article, however my point is that music doesn't have to be incredibly time consuming for children or parents in order to be effective.  Even 30 minutes a week is better than nothing, especially if that time is spent with focused learning objectives and the children are having a good time.

Those who wish to devote much more time will find that our resources are a great supplement to whatever program they are doing.  We have fun printables, crafts and games that will reinforce musical concepts, especially if their children are young.

My initial response when I hear my child complain that they hate something is to turn around and ask them, "Do you really?  Why?".  Sometimes they may genuinely despise a subject, but more often than not, what they hate is the WAY I am teaching it.  They may hate that they have to do it at all.  They may hate that I'm the one dictating what they need to do.  They may simply rather just play.  Getting to the source of their "hate" is the first step to solving the problem.  I don't have all the answers and am in the parenting trenches with you, but here are a few things that have helped us.

• Give them choices.  Yes, you do have to do music today.  Which one of these activities would you like to do?  Which one of these songs would you like to learn?  When would you like to practice?  Would you like to play hands separately or together?  Would you like to sing it in solfege or sing out the note name? Giving them some autonomy will help music time run smoother.
• Shake things up. Sometimes kids just need a change of scenery.  Maybe they feel bored sitting on the bench.  Maybe they aren't understanding the concepts being taught and need an opportunity to hear it a different way.  If you have an electric keyboard, maybe they can practice their songs with different voices.  Maybe the way you are teaching is just great, you just need a musical "vacation" to freshen your approach and resolve.  This is where are games and activities can especially help!
  
• Take smaller steps, but keep moving.  Maybe getting all your kids to practice for 30+ minutes is stressing you both out and cutting back will make music time more doable.  If the task is too big, if it feels grueling, it will be easier to scrap it on a busy day.  On the other hand, if you have smaller goals, both parent and child will feel less intimidated and can approach it with a better attitude.  Set goals, make them happen, but also keep things realistic given your family's particular culture.
  
• Be willing to compromise.  If a child hates a particular song, hey, there are plenty of fish in the sea, songs that will help them gain the same skills.  Maybe they don't want to learn piano at all.  At least right now, maybe backing off piano in favor of another instrument might be a better choice for the family.  My Dad's favorite idiom is "Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be bent out of shape".  When a child is resisting music, giving them a bigger voice can give them a feeling of empowerment that will help them sit down for music time more willingly.
  
• Offer a reward.  Notice I didn't suggest you bribe them.  See, a bribe is when you give someone a prize before they accomplish a task, and a reward is something they get after.  Certainly one could go overboard and spoil a child with this approach, but rewards can also be used constructively.  I also love the idea of making the reward serve as a natural consequence.  For example, when they reach a certain level of proficiency, they'll be able to play songs out of a Disney songbook, so you will buy it for them after they pass off a certain song in their book.  Alternatively, when they reach a certain level, you will let them begin learning an additional instrument.  Maybe the violin, guitar, ukulele or ocarina.  Maybe they'll get to pick out a toy at the dollar store.  When a child particularly resists a subject, offering a reward can serve as great motivation.  Adults more easily appreciate the intrinsic rewards of accomplishing tasks.  Sometimes children need something a little less abstract to get them into gear.
  

Regardless of how one overcomes a child's declared hatred of music, I think it is important to work through it and help them overcome it.  Many children say they hate reading only to become avid readers after they gain proficiency.  Or maybe it was math or writing.  As parents, do we accept them at their word and say reading isn't for them?  Of course not!  We apply different learning strategies, change our pace, or maybe just muscle through it because that's the best thing to do.  Sometimes kids just need to learn how to work.  Whatever the reason, we don't give up on them. 

Music should be the same way.  Music education is that important.  You want the best for your children and you are smarter than they are when it comes to knowing what they really hate.  So they've got a hurdle to overcome.  They haven't experienced enough success to feel comfortable with music yet.  That's okay.  Give it time, keep working with them, keep taking those baby steps.  One day, they'll surprise you and sit down at the piano and start playing a song they've finally conquered.  And then they'll play it again.  And again.  And again.  And they'll start playing it like a speed demon.  And you will just smile to yourself because they've just proved what you knew all along- hatred of music was never really the problem after all.

Many of our materials are especially ideal for special needs children because we have:

• Large materials.  We have oversized rhythm flashcards, larger-than-average sheet music, and a variety of activities with extra-large fonts.  This feature was designed for teaching extra-young children and classroom teachers, but has been especially good for special needs children as well.
  
• Gross motor activities.  I hesitate to single out this benefit for special needs because I think ALL children benefit from well-executed gross motor activities.  Our solfege triangles for staircases will have your children singing as they go up and down the stairs.  Our solfege circles are great for "giant" board games, improv twister, and creating giant compositions.  Our giant rhythm cards are great for circle games and relay races.  We have many other activities that lend themselves well to learning on the living room floor.
  
• Color-coding.  Children who have difficulty with reading will often struggle learning to read music as well.  Our color-coded piano music gives them an pathway to playing the piano and enjoying music, even if they will never catch on to reading music without the colors.  On the flip side, practicing music with colors is yet another effective way to teach children colors in the first place.  A child may not be able to identify the word "red", even if they do understand the essence of "redness".  They may be able to match colors without labeling them.  My own children learned their colors while playing "Rainbow Castle" and hearing me sing the colors as I pointed them out as they played.
  
• Activities that are easy to do in short periods.  Special needs children often have shorter attention spans than other children, and as such, you NEED to be able to jump in and jump out of meaningful music activities.  Our board games, crafts, story books, activities and worksheets can almost all be done in less than 5 minutes
  
• A multi-faceted approach to learning.  Teaching the same material in several different ways a great way to help children truly digest and internalize the material.  We can sing a melody using the words, solfege, note names and color.  We have several different activities that all give a foundation for early rhythm concepts.  You can teach the material yourself or watch teaching videos when applicable.  You can color solfege worksheets with crayons, or place small toys like Legos to practice singing melodies with color.  You can write melodies with crayons or place magnets on our color-coded staves.  We've got the music fundamentals covered for you!
  
• Materials that make music concepts less abstract.  There are a lot of abstract concepts in music that are difficult for any young child to grasp.  Making these concepts more visual is something I have especially enjoyed doing, from our "I've Got Rhythm" boards, the rhythm blocks shown below third from the left, our piano inserts that demonstrate how the scale is built, and our color-coded system that not only makes melodies easier to hen-pick for beginners, but also helps children to recognize chord progressions.  Sometimes having more than one angle to look at a topic is the key to finding one that will stick.  Our library is always growing and I'm always happy to tackle special requests.