A lot of people do not give importance to music as a way to to teach children with special needs.
One of the things I enjoyed when I was still teaching preschool was to include music in the day to day curriculum. There are songs to make the kids get up and play, there are songs that teach learning concepts, there are songs that helps them pack away the materials they used such as there are songs that signals the class is ending in a bit and we have to say good-byes.
I have to say that though I have very limited musical ability when it comes to playing musical instruments during those times when I was still teaching the young ones, I know that did not deter me from enjoying music with them then. I just wish I paid more attention when I was taking piano lessons when I was way younger.
Teaching children about music (and also how to play various musical instruments) is a good way for them to learn a lot of things:
- they learn to listen
- they learn to feel the rhythm, the beat, the essence
- they learn to be more sensitive in listening to others especially if they have to play musical instruments with others
- they move to the beat of the music
- they are able to distinguish similarities and differences for say for example, ultra light acoustic guitar strings or nylon strings
Music is a good learning tool and when properly used, can be a big help for the children with special needs.
Here are a few samples of songs to teach for children with special needs.