When Did We Stop Singing?: Home
When did we stop singing?
Invitation to an alternative cultural model.
In the Aborigional culture when someone is troubled he doesn't go to a therapist, he goes to the medicine man. And the first thing the medicine man asks is, " When did you stop singing?"
Singing aloud, alone or together is one of the most natural human expressions of health, joy and interpersonal connection. A lack of singing in any culture represents a profound hole in the fabric of a society. Pre-recorded music no matter how good, is no substitute for the spontaneous power of the human voice.
Singing is about much more than entertainment. In some cultures the word 'sing' and the word 'dance' mean the same thing. It has been scientifically proven that when we sing together, our immune systems get stronger.
In America we have let ourselves be led into believing only professional singers are 'good'. We have become passive consumers instead of creative actors. Fear of being heard singing in public is modeled by our teachers, parents, and other well meaning "I'm-not-a-singer" adults.
Learned fear of singing, and abandonment of singing by educators and parents is costing our children many precious cultural and educational opportunities. In the first five years of the development a child's brain, music and language are inseparable. When children sing alone and together they develop invaluable initiative, social, creative representation, language, and math skills. Singing together promotes that vital sense of belonging and shared delight every child and every adult needs to be truly healthy.
Deb Hensley and Martin Swinger invite you to create an alternative cultural model in your school and classroom. We invite you to find melody and rhythm in daily activities. Recalling and practicing simple ways to use your own singing voice, you will learn to strengthen literacy skills such as comprehension, phonological awareness, and letter sound knowledge. You will lead your children in song more naturally through transitions, mealtime, small and large group times and even outdoor experiences. Your entire daily routine will find new rhythm and meaning!
So... When did YOU stop singing?
Vocal play made fun and simple, no instruments nor equipment necessary.
Just BYO VOICE!