As seen in Education Week, according to a study published in the Journal of Neuroscience, elementary students who participated in music programs for two years showed improvement in their ability to process speech sounds.
Similarly to the rhymes and repetition found in poetry, music also consists of patterns and beats. Whether is classical or hip-hop, the patterns found in music can actually help children focus on words, introduce new vocabulary and help them become stronger readers. When children participate in a music program, the research suggests that the complexity involved in practicing and performing music may help students’ cognitive development and may increase their creativity, decision making, and memory.
Dr. Timothy Rasinski, Professor, Literacy Education, Kent State University, (and believer is sing-alongs) shares his thoughts on using poetry and song to foster a love of reading and build comprehension skills in students.
