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Preschool Sunday School Music: Why It is an Important Tool to Use
by Denise Oliveri If you teach preschool Sunday school, chances are you play music almost every week for your class. It's a joy to watch young children get so excited about a song. Not only does playing music in class help children get out their energy, but it also helps them learn and memorize Bible verses, remember important things that happen in the Bible, and gives them something fun to look forward to each week. Learn more reasons why using Sunday school music is an important tool in your class. Increases Fine Motor and Gross Motor Skills Music is just one way that preschoolers learn how to control their movements, thus increasing improvement of fine motor and gross motor skills. When they move around, they are acquiring the skill to direct their body how they want it to move. And, they also learn how to stop their body from moving when a song ends. What could be a more fun way to learn vital growth skills without evening knowing your doing it? So, make sure you take the opportunity to get your little ones moving and shaking in Sunday school class each week. Develops a High Self-Esteem It is easy to help your preschool class develop a high self-esteem as individuals through the use of music. There are a plethora of musical games that you can incorporate in your Bible lessons to make learning fun. When everyone in the class participates, children do not feel inadequate or singled out about how they dance, which helps build their confidence. Encourages Creativity We all have a niche, something that we are really good at. Exposing preschoolers to Sunday school music will help them determine if music is something they really enjoy. Of course, at this early age, almost all children love to sing and dance, but you may catch a student or two already developing the knack for coming up with a routine to the songs they hear. If this is the case, they might want to perform for the class. If not, never force a child to do something she does not want to do. Maybe her creativity is still developing and needs time to flourish. Ways to Incorporate Music in Your Class There are different ways that you can incorporate music into your class that bring up different results. First, you can play games like musical chairs, guess that song (where children have to listen and guess what song is being played through music only, not words), or freeze (children have to stay still when the music stops playing). Then, you can also add instruments to your class, such as rhythm sticks or bells. You might also consider having children make their own instruments and then have a parade where they follow along with songs you play. Instruments are great for teaching preschoolers about rhythm, following beats, and harmony. When you first introduce music into your preschool Sunday school class, it is important that you give children instructions about what you expect from them. Emphasize that they need to control their behavior, and that just because you are playing music does not mean they have free rein to act wild. That is why having planned musical games is a good idea, instead of a free time to just dance and act crazy. Otherwise, enjoy these childhood years when kids are carefree when it comes to listening to music in class. By the time they reach upper elementary Sunday school and beyond, they will not appreciate the silliness and good times music brings to a class. Live it up while you can. Denise Oliveri is the owner of Preschool Sunday School Central (http://www.psscentral.com). The site provides preschool Sunday School teachers wtih valuable resources to help with Bible lesson planning. Join our eBook Club today for a new eBook each month. Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com |