In this paper there will be the analysis of various children’s games and songs. In this exercise, the lyrics of the songs will be provided with a detailed description of the game or the movement that is involved. The range of age that the song is recommended for will be mentioned and the purpose of the song will be noted. It is said that songs and other games help in the growth of the children and their IQ. The analysis of this will be looked into as a research paper will be analyzed and the findings will be related to the various dances and songs that will be mentioned. The relationship between the songs, age and IQ growth will be linked. Different songs and movements are seen to fit a certain group and they can be different with another age group. Older kids will require more advanced songs and movements than their younger counterparts. The various children activities will be looked into as follows:
Type of activity
The type of activity in this case is Ball Bouncing.
Lyrics
Bounce high, bounce low
Bounce the ball to Shiloh
Bounce high, bounce low
Don’t bounce it on your toe!
Detailed description of the game
This game works in that a child is given a ball that they bounce up and down on the ground while singing at the same time. This type of game can be played by a group or an individual child with the other children helping him/her to sing. The person in charge of the game determines when the song is over and then swaps for the other children to have their turn playing.
Suggested Age Range and Why (child development, musical development):
The suggested age range for this game and song is between 5 – 6years. This is because this game is a little bit complex for younger children who are not as agile and mobile like 5- 6 year olds. This game requires concentration and multitasking where they bounce the ball and sing at the same time. This will help the child develop skills like confidence, ability to do several tasks at the same time, concentration and even team work. They will also be able to develop their musical skills and apply the singing to a certain rhythm.
Musical and/or Movement Elements (that are prominent)
The prominent movement in this case is the bouncing of the ball while at the same time singing as the accompaniment. The tempo of the song will determine the frequency the ball is bounced up and down. This will give the child a rhythm to work with.
https://thumbs.dreamstime.com/x/bouncing-ball-2387145.jpg
8 Beat Canon
Game Type:
This involves movement that is accompanied by a beat. It is known as the Canon (Movement).
Movement:
Walk 8 steps
Stand still and clap hands 8 times
Skip 8 skips
Touch the floor 8 times and freeze.
These actions are all perform to the same beat.
Suggested Age Range and Why (child development, musical development):
The suggested range for this game is the age between 5 and 6 years. This is because the kids at this age are highly mobile and they can execute complex movements without blundering or hurting themselves. They also enjoy large motor movements that involve choreography and they can walk backwards quickly which is needed in this game. This game will help the children perfect their motor skills and learn to work as a group and at the same time learning how to be attentive and be able to execute many things at once. This will help in their development on many fronts. Musically, they will learn how to march on a bit and how they can refrain from missing a step or missing a beat. This will make their coordination increase as there is clapping that is involved while marching at the same time.
Musical and/or Movement Elements (that are prominent)
Walk 8 steps
Stand still and clap hands 8 times
Skip 8 skips
Touch the floor 8 times and freeze.
These actions are all perform to the same beat. To perform in canon, a second group starts the movements, one phrase after the first group. Perform the actions 2x through and then freeze
Singing Games
Titles and Lyrics
Who’s that tapping at the window?
Who’s that knocking at the door?
I am tapping at the window.
I am knocking at the door
Charlie over the ocean (class echoes each phrase)
Charlie over the sea
Charlie caught a big fish
Can’t catch me!
Suggested Age Range and Why (child development, musical development):
The suggested age here can be from ages 4 to 6 years. This is because at this age, they can be able to articulate themselves well and their speech is developed. These singing games are crucial in that they will shape the child musically and they can be able to sing and remember things on their own. Repetition and the rhythms make the song memorable. They will learn how to sing with others and they can be innovative and come up with a beat to accompany the various songs. They learn how to express themselves through the songs by asking various questions and referring to themselves at the same time.
Musical and/or Movement Elements (that are prominent)
In the first song, there is question and answer kind of rhythm whereby a question is asked and in the second sentence an answer is given. There will be dramatization whereby the children with gesticulate feigning a knock and then point to themselves when referring to the knocker. The teacher may ask the questions while the students answer in unison. In the second song, the teacher sings out loud and the children repeat the song as it is said. The song is short and therefore repetition is vital to making it enjoyable and memorable.
Here We Go Round the Mountain
Game Type: Folk Dance (Movement)
Lyrics
Here we go round the mountain two by two
Here we go round the mountain two by two
Here we go round the mountain two by two
Rise sugar rise!
Vs. 2
Show a pretty motion two by two
Show a pretty motion two by two
Show a pretty motion two by two
Rise sugar rise!
Suggested Age Range and Why (child development, musical development):
The suggested range for this dance is the age between 5 and 6 years. This is because the kids at this age are highly mobile and they can execute complex movements without blundering or hurting themselves. They also enjoy large motor movements that involve choreography and they can walk backwards quickly which is needed in this dance. This dance will help the children perfect their motor skills and learn to work as a group and at the same time learning how to be attentive and be able to execute many things at once. This will help in their development on many fronts. Musically, they will learn how to march on a bit and how they can refrain from missing a step or missing a beat. This will make their coordination increase as there is clapping that is involved while marching at the same time.
Musical and/or Movement Elements (that are prominent)
This is a circle game that has movements going in a circular manner. It takes two people who have partnered to go round and round a specific or set center. By promenading, the kids are able to surround a couple at the center. This is done in verse one. When verse two comes, the couple that was being promenaded does a motion, a folk dance being cheered on by the rest. They do this in a repetitive manner until the song is sung for several times.
Brief Description of the Research
In the paper the research that was done by E. Glenn Schellenberg, there was the investigation of whether music had any effect on the IQ especially of children. After the idea came about that music made one smarter was propagated by scholars and the media, this study was undertaken. Various groups of children were taken and subjected to various tests. The IQ was taken before and after the study. The study was conducted in such a way that one group was subjected to music both voice and instrumental while the other group was only subjected to drama or nothing at all. The IQ was then measured after the lessons.
Children who were subjected to music were seen to have greater increases in IQ as compared to the other kids who did not have any musical experience. The kids in the drama classes however exhibited improvements in adaptations in social behavior which were not present in the musical groups. Further studies brought about the Mozart effect in that the simple act of listening to music increased spatial abilities albeit temporarily.
Another study that was focused on is whether the study of music has collateral benefits that can be extended to nonmusical areas of cognition. By giving the kids musical activities especially in their early years was to help them hone their motor skills and be able to be receptive to their environment and act accordingly to various changes. Music was linked to the promotion of intellectual development especially in children.
It is however not clear whether these changes come from the study of music or through the interaction and presence of extracurricular activities that are associated with music like dance and playing that the kids are exposed to. Therefore, it can be seen that music directly or indirectly affects the IQ of an individual on many levels.
In conclusion, it can be seen that an optimal combination of music and other activities like drama will cause an increase in IQ and also bring about social adaptability to the individuals who are taking the two. Therefore, as seen above, music does have beneficial aspects to the growth and development of IQ especially in children.
