Sunday, April 29, 2012

ALIVE INSIDE


You know, sometimes things just happen for a reason.  Several weeks ago when I was driving home from North Carolina I heard about a documentary called “Alive Inside.”  We have always known that music is stored in long term memory and that’s why it’s such a powerful learning tool.  However, now they are finding they can reach deep inside people with dementia and tap into their feelings and memories.  Dan Cohen made individualized iPods for patients loaded with music from their youth.  The results were ASTOUNDING and you should do a search of “Alive Inside” and check it out for yourself.  If you know anyone suffering from dementia, this could be a way to put a smile on their faces.

I jokingly tell people in my workshops that I’m the one they are going to want to be next to in the “home” because I have so many songs and rhymes stored in my brain.  Maybe this isn’t a joke after all!!!

Music and movement are the most natural and joyful ways to help children learn.  And the good news is that you don’t have to be a great musician to sing with children.  You just have to be enthusiastic!  As Pete Seeger said, “Music is a way to help us love each other.”

So, every day this week start and end your day with a song.  Shut your door and sing every chance you get.  You’ll not only be helping your students brains grow, you’ll be giving them a treasure that will be stored in their memories the rest of their lives!!!  Lucky us to be able to touch a life in such a magical way!