Duke Orsino:
If music be the food of love, play on,
Give me excess of it; that surfeiting,
The appetite may sicken, and so die.
Twelfth Night Act 1, scene 1, 1–3
Children with Williams Syndrome are said to have a “natural liking” for music far beyond the general population. As such teachers have the grand opportunity to utilize music not only as a form of therapy but also to aid their instruction of such children in various classroom settings albeit Math, Writing, Reading etc.
The affinity toward music of a child with Williams Syndrome will often allow them to be more engaged and have a higher retention of success when difficult tasks are reinforced with music (WSA, 2014). For example:
Meghan Costello, a Williams child at the age of three started plonking on the keyboard – drawn almost mystically to the sounds it made. Despite her fairly mild symptoms and progress at school, she only learned to read when her mother bought her a record phonics program which taught her through music (Scheiber, 1998).
If music be the food of love, play on,
Give me excess of it; that surfeiting,
The appetite may sicken, and so die.
Twelfth Night Act 1, scene 1, 1–3
Children with Williams Syndrome are said to have a “natural liking” for music far beyond the general population. As such teachers have the grand opportunity to utilize music not only as a form of therapy but also to aid their instruction of such children in various classroom settings albeit Math, Writing, Reading etc.
The affinity toward music of a child with Williams Syndrome will often allow them to be more engaged and have a higher retention of success when difficult tasks are reinforced with music (WSA, 2014). For example:
Meghan Costello, a Williams child at the age of three started plonking on the keyboard – drawn almost mystically to the sounds it made. Despite her fairly mild symptoms and progress at school, she only learned to read when her mother bought her a record phonics program which taught her through music (Scheiber, 1998).
Provide a predictable schedule and routine with specific warnings (e.g. a specific song a few minutes before cleanup time) marking daily transitions from one activity to the next.
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Use music as an instructional tool or method for teaching mathematical formulas, multiplication tables etc.
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Use puppets and music to practice prepositions.
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Use music to teach social- studies and social communication skills:
Teachers could also help students compose a song to learn about their family. For example: |
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Scheiber, D. (1998). Music lights a fire. St. Petersburg Times Online, Sept. 6.
http://www.sptimes.com/Floridian/90698/williamsstory.html
http://www.sptimes.com/Floridian/90698/williamsstory.html
Home > Terminology > Characteristics > Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment > Prevalence & Early Warning Signs
Tips for Teachers > Classroom Management > Writing & Reading > Mathematics > Music
Tips for Teachers > Classroom Management > Writing & Reading > Mathematics > Music
Date last modified: 30th July 2015