EXPLORERS We are working on the body parts. What could be better than learningwitha song? Here we go!
Face: mouth, nose, eyes, ears... and other words not as common: freckles, checks and chin.
Body: head, shoulders, knees and toes... and other words not as common: belly, back, bottom and ellbow. This week we coloured a blank face and a blank body. You will see it at the end of the year in the album!
Drawing is so important for children. Now the question is- why?
Science shows that drawing is an essential part of a child’s development. Margaret Brooks explains how “Through
drawing [children] are not only able to see what they are thinking,
they are also able to play around with and transform their ideas”
So what does this mean? This means that your child should be drawing for many reasons:
It increases their imagination.Imagination
is SUCH a key part of a child’s growth- when they are imagining, they
are able to form their own scenarios and play pretend, thus becoming
more independent and advanced. We should all encourage imagination
because it is a show of freedom of expression and creativity, two major
components any child should be able to have.
It is an amazing way of displaying emotion.
Nowadays, it is far too often that people feel that they have to hide
from their emotions, or do not know ways to spend their time. Drawing is
a hobby and passion that can be a positive outlet. The colors they use
and the things they draw are a great way for kids to show how they feel,
and also make it easier later in life to express their feelings.
Their cognitive processes increase. Cognition
means acquiring knowledge and understanding through thought,
experience, and the senses. Drawing means they are constantly thinking
or feeling something, so what they choose to draw, the patterns they
use, and the story they try to portray helps them build in their
knowledge and visual skills.
Their fine motor and coordination skills increase as well.They
will get to practice how to properly hold a pencil and/or crayons, and
how to color in small closed areas. This is very important because
holding a pencil correctly is a big step of later things they learn in
life, and it affects handwriting as well.
They will embrace creativity and confidence.Giving
your child the freedom to draw means that they can create anything they
want. What they draw allows you to see what’s going on in their mind,
and also lets them grow in their uniqueness and originality. You should
always show happiness or ask questions about what they drew so that they
feel good about their work and are more confident about themselves.
So what is it about songs that make them such effective English language learning tools?
It works. There is considerable scientific evidence that
demonstrates how music can help second language learners acquire
grammar and vocabulary and improve spelling.
Everyday language and colloquial speech. Songs
and music almost always contain a lot of useful vocabulary, phrases and
expressions.
Get familiar with the sound of English.Listening to songs will also allow you to focus on your pronunciation
and understanding of the English language’s rhythm, tone and beat.
Get English stuck inside your head.Many of the words and sound patterns within a song are repetitive and
this makes it easier for them to stick in your mind. You probably
already know this. Music has an uncanny ability of getting stuck in our
heads. Tunes and lyrics will often infiltrate our thoughts and play over
and over in our minds. All of which will help you to learn English
through songs as you easily memorize vocabulary and phrases. In fact,
after a short period of time you will find it almost impossible to
forget them.
Songs are emotional. Our
relationship with music is deep, powerful and hugely rewarding. It is a
key that unlocks our emotions, influences our moods and enhances our
mental and physical well-being. When something is emotional, then of
course it is also easier to remember.
Music is an easy habit.
One reason people find language learning difficult is they don’t have
an extra minute in the day to devote to their studies. But when you’re
learning English through songs, you don’t need to set aside too much
time because you can take the music with you wherever you go. You can
have English songs playing in the car, the kitchen and the shower. And
by picking music you like, you can listen to the same material over and
over again, without becoming bored.
Music teaches you English culture. Music
gives you insight into English-speaking culture and how
English-speaking people think and feel. Familiarity with popular songs
and artists gives you something to talk about with your English-speaking
friends.
