Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote, “Music is the universal language of mankind.” Ain't that the truth?! From lullabies to grieving songs, Mozart to Jay-Z, music can bring communities together across the globe.
Here are five fun music-themed things to teach your kids:
1. A silly joke.
Drumroll, please...
Why did the music teacher need a ladder? To reach the high notes.
2. A new vocabulary word.
Have you ever gotten a song stuck in your head and it just wouldn't go away? There's a name for that!
What is an earworm? An earworm is a piece of music that gets stuck in your mind. If you've ever watched Frozen, Moana, or Encanto, there's a good chance you'll experience an earworm because their songs are super catchy!
3. A word puzzle.
Some of the catchiest music comes from musicals. See if you can figure out this music-themed rebus based on a fun musical.
To solve a rebus, consider not just the words, but the placement, size, color, and quantity of everything within the box (and sometimes just outside the box!) when trying to decipher the puzzle.
4. A fun fact.
You've probably heard of pianos, guitars, drums, and saxophones, but are you familiar with a Sea Organ?
You can find musical pieces of architecture throughout the world. Visitors to the coast of Croatia can enjoy the sounds of a Sea Organ, which plays music based on the flowing tide. Similarly, guests of San Francisco can relax along the shoreline to hear the peaceful sounds of a Wave Organ.
5. Teach a personal discovery.
Music is good for the soul. It can reduce stress and anxiety, improve sleep and alertness, and bring back memories for aging adults. When you're 80 years old, chances are you'll enjoy hearing a tune from your youth. What was the number 1 song in the US when you were born? How about when you were 16? You can check out the Billboard Hot 100 for up-to-date music favorites or visit Playback.fm to find a popular song from a specific date in time.
“The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you.” – B.B. King
