Although I have a minor in Spanish and family that lives in France, I’m always up for exploring a new country and culture. Learning a new language can be challenging, but it is always a lot of fun when you add songs and games! Singing helps memory, listening skills, language acquisition and solidifies new vocabulary.
We all have a natural rhythm when we talk, so like music, our speech pattern has a beat and a tempo. Singing in a different language can help learn how a language flows. Our brains are fully engaged and stimulated when we sing and move to music, which in turn activates both sides of the brain.
Songs in other languages not only promote that specific language, but also gives insight into those cultures. Singing in a group setting helps build confidence that is needed to carry on day to day conversations.
We get to experience music from all over the world in our classes, so adding songs from around the world at home is a breeze! In this June’s World Traveler camp, we took a “trip” to Japan to learn a fun song about Panda, Usagi, Koala (usagi is Japanese for rabbit). See – you already know the “foreign” words panda and koala! The children had such a great time learning the song and it was made all the more fun by singing it faster and faster!
Domo arigato to all the children who helped make this a song one of my favorites! Enjoy!
-posted by Miss Beth, who enjoys singing and dancing to music from all over the world.
QUICK LINKS
