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!