Teach Primary Issue 18.5

www.teachwire.ne t | 23 H aving a strong foundation in phonics is essential for teaching children to read. But can music play a role in helping them develop greater phonological awareness at a young age? Let’s take a trip down memory lane, shall we? Many of us will remember the joys of being a tiny tot bouncing on our granny’s knee to Humpty Dumpty. Although this seemed like a wild ride, it was more than just a cute party trick for grandparents. This kneebouncing was helping us develop phonological awareness. It taught us about rhythm and rhyme, both of which are essential for reading and sounding out words. The teaching of phonics has an important place in the timetable of a primary classroom, but if you want your pupils to spot a split digraph from a mile away then you should consider introducing more music into the curriculum, too. Yes, you heard me right! Belting out Baa, Baa Black Sheep is more precious than a full class set of glue sticks with all their lids on. (I know, that’s a bold statement, but stay with me.) According to Professor Susan Hallam ( The Power of Music , Music Education Council 2015) ‘Speech and music have a number of shared processing systems. Musical experiences, which enhance processing can therefore impact on the perception of language, which in turn impacts on learning to read. Active engagement with music sharpens the brain’s early encoding of linguistic sound…’ As you all know, phonics is about understanding the sounds letters make. So, what better way to practise these sounds than through the power of music, even with a few pitchy notes thrown in for good measure? Singing breaks down words into syllables and sounds, allowing us to hear and recognise patterns in language. When pupils sing along to Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star, they’re not just learning a song; they’re picking up on the ‘t’ sound, the rhythm of the words and the blending of sounds. It’s phonics in disguise, like a superhero wearing a catchy melody instead of a cape. Phonological awareness deals with recognising and manipulating sounds in spoken language. Imagine a classroom where children are not just reading words, but feeling them, bouncing to them, and letting them dance off their tongues. It’s like turning your classroom into the most fun, educational concert ever. Move over, Taylor Swift! Songs can have rhymes, alliterations and repeated patterns, which are fantastic for developing phonological awareness. When children sing, they learn to play with sounds, creating a fun and engaging way to build crucial literacy skills. According to Francoise et al ., 2013, ‘Listening and engaging in musical activity reinforces children’s awareness of speech segmentation’. Therefore, incorporating songs into your daily routine can transform your classroom into a phonics powerhouse. Plus, let’s be real, it makes the day more enjoyable for everyone. Who doesn’t love a good sing-along? Now, I know what you’re thinking: “I’m not exactly Beyoncé?”. Don’t worry, you don’t need to be a diva to make this work. The beauty of singing with kids is that they don’t care if you’re hitting all the right notes. It’s the enthusiasm and the joy that counts. So, channel your inner rock star, embrace your microphone (pencil, marker, or one of those elusive glue sticks with the lid on), and let your voice fly free. In today’s busy world, where knee- bouncing and lullabies might be on the endangered list, we must keep the rhythm alive. Let’s bring the joy of singing back into the classroom and boost our kids’ phonics and phonological skills. Before you know it, your class will be phonics wizards, and you’ll have a lot of fun along the way. Happy singing, and keep bouncing – even if it’s just metaphorically. Warmest regards, Laura w .teachwire.net | 17 A letter to... Don’t overlook the value of song in helping children develop phonological awareness, says Laura Di Pasquale Each issueweaskacontributor to penanote theywould love to send Primary teachers Laura Di Pasquale is a primary teacher in Glasgow, Scotland and is an Apple Learning Coach and micro:bit Champion. VO I C E S “It’s phonics in disguise, like a superhero wearing a catchy melody instead of a cape” @LauraKeeney01