Sharing songs and music in various languages with children is an effective way to introduce them to diverse cultures.
When Ms Lavina Chong, Managing Director of Wigglepods, a creative music and movement company, sang a ‘Hello’ song in Tamil to a classroom of preschoolers, it piqued their interest. “The children started asking to learn the same song in other languages,” she recounts.
Wigglepods’ Ms Lavina Chong is an advocate for performing arts education at the infant and toddler level.
“There are numerous opportunities for educators to promote cultural diversity to young children,” says Ms Chong. “Apart from the usual music and movement activities, children can sing and dance along to songs in different languages during transitions and circle times. They can even learn to greet one another in their respective mother tongue languages.”
MUSIC BUILDS COMMUNITY
Besides contributing to children’s cognitive development, language learning and well-being, music can be a gateway to diverse cultures — helping to expand their social circle and forge connections with others.
Music can open the door to new cultures and new friends.
To foster a culturally inclusive classroom environment, Ms Chong recommends that educators introduce music and instruments associated with the different communities in Singapore. For instance, children can move with scarves to the song ‘Selamat Hari Raya’ or play percussion instruments to lion dance music.
These musical experiences are engaging and meaningful as they relate to the children’s immediate environment. “While playing music from various cultures, point out the differences in musical elements such as melody, rhythm, form, harmony and texture,” adds Ms Chong.
Percussion instruments make teaching rhythm, motor skills and creativity fun.
