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Our September theme is Children’s Music. The Music Lab stations for History, Listening, and Composition are ready!

The Benefits of Children’s Music

Music aimed at children offers more than just fun songs — it helps kids grow in powerful ways. Beyond academics, music builds social and communication skills. Playing instruments strengthens coordination, while patterns and rhythms support math comprehension. Creative play with music encourages self-expression and imagination. Altogether, these experiences help children develop into well-rounded individuals.

Ella Jenkins: The First Lady of Children’s Music

Known as the First Lady of Children’s Music, Ella Jenkins devoted 67 years to performing. She transformed children’s music into a respected art form for both artists and producers. Her call-and-response folk style taught kids history often missing from textbooks. Jenkins disliked the way earlier songs talked down to children, so she changed the tone — creating music that respected and uplifted young listeners.

The Wiggles: Teaching Through Music

Before forming The Wiggles, Anthony Field and Jeff Fatt performed in a 1980s pop band called The Cockroaches. Along with fellow musician Murray Cook, they studied to become preschool teachers in Australia. Their shared passion for early childhood education inspired them to create music designed for learning. The Wiggles quickly grew beyond the classroom into a full-time career. Over the years, the group has introduced beloved characters such as Dorothy the Dinosaur, Wags the Dog, Henry the Octopus, Captain Feathersword, and Shirley Shawn the Unicorn.

Sandra Boynton: Stories and Songs for Kids

Author and producer Sandra Boynton has built a career on creative projects for children. She began in college designing greeting cards, eventually expanding into books and music. Her fifth album, Hoppy Trouble, is a themed country album for kids. Boynton often explains her dedication to children’s work by saying she sees the world much like a five-year-old — with wonder and humor — while enjoying the freedom to create more than she could at that age.

Why Children’s Music Matters

From Ella Jenkins’ folk traditions to The Wiggles’ colorful characters and Sandra Boynton’s playful songs, children’s music has shaped generations. It entertains while teaching language, rhythm, math, and creativity. Most importantly, it respects children as active learners. Music, in every form, helps young people discover themselves and the world around them.

Have you heard of music therapy? Did you know that music is one of the oldest medicines?

Neuroscientist, award-winning musician and composer Daniel J. Levitin has been studying music and how it changes the brain. I was fascinated to learn about the work being done for some illnesses I didn’t know much about, but also on well-known diseases like PTSD, Parkinson’s, and depression. While I encountered I Heard There Was a Secret Chord, in researching this post I found two other books by this author I’m going to have to get my hands on.

Examples from my life:

My mom always had music on when I was a kid, and my father was a DJ. I love a lot of different styles and I play what I feel in the mood for. My mom changed music when my kids were little and suddenly played them classical music instead of the more contemporary styles.

One thing I really enjoyed about the research in this book is that it isn’t necessarily about the style of music, but also about what you enjoy. Levitin did state that sad songs are probably not the best for depression while also acknowledging that each person’s tastes are going to vary.

Music has always been so personal. We love the songs we love, and we each have a few we skip when we hear that first intro. If you read the books, you’ll learn a lot about music and the brain. What I would challenge everyone to do is look at their playlists, search their favorites, and see what it is that makes those songs special to you and how it changes your day to have that music with you.

Examples I’ve learned from parenting:

My daughter loves to make playlists. She has one for each year of school, which means she’s on her third because she’s a junior. Also, she has created a separate playlist for her closest family members of their favorites. Her earbuds keep her connected to music to help her concentrate during school. (Per Levitin, music keeps the anxiety from taking over during the quiet moments of concentration.)

I’ve noticed when I play music, versus language learning or listening to books, I can tackle challenges at work with a different mood.

So, tell me, what role does music play in your life, and how do you use that for yourself?

This week our summer playlist is out! When you see our students, tell them how they did. I am always amazed how much their skills improve between each time I see them. This playlist is amazing as always. We can’t wait until the next time we get to showcase our students and their capabilities.

The unmistakable sound of yodeling—rapidly flipping between chest voice and head voice—has long been associated with the snow-capped peaks of the European Alps. But this unique vocal technique began not as art, but as function: yodeling was originally a practical method of communication, designed to carry across vast, mountainous terrain.

What makes yodeling so distinct is the dramatic shift between vocal registers, often called a “vocal break,” which creates that signature warbling tone. It requires surprising vocal control and agility, making it both a fascinating study in technique and a fun musical challenge.

While yodeling’s exact origins remain somewhat mysterious, its influence spans continents and genres. In fact, this Alpine tradition helped shape the sound of early American Country music in the 1940s and ’50s. Country artists embraced yodeling’s expressive power, using it to add flair and feeling to their songs—creating a lasting link between European folk traditions and American roots music.

At Michelle Tuesday Music School, we believe that music lessons should go beyond notes and scales—they should build curiosity about music’s cultural roots. In our Lab this month, students explore the rich history and technique of yodeling with a lesson. The composition station challenges students to compose a short yodel of their own, while our listening station features examples of yodeling, linked below.

Parents can be part of the fun, too. Ask your student what they’ve learned about yodeling this month—you might be surprised by what they share! Better yet, try yodeling with them. It might lead to a few laughs, but it’s also a great way to connect with your child’s learning and cultivate a shared appreciation for the colorful history of music.

I love to read the students’ comments on the monthly theme. It’s a great way to know what they’re learning from the history and listening stations.

My favorite this month is from Noah – “didn’t know he was in the sixties and is dead” I’m sure there’s context to this but I feel the same way. Ollie felt they all sounded the same, but maybe that’s just a first impression to 60s pop music.

Liana – one song they were playing with a ball and dribbling, and one sounded like spring then summer or summer then spring. Her favorite lyric was ‘home is in your heart’.

Wynn – liked the words to Sweet Caroline, liked the songs where one instrument (drums or piano) started first and then the others joined in, and enjoyed the pictures.

Owen really liked the song titles, especially Sweet Caroline, he appreciated the realism in the songs, and he enjoyed the moving pictures.

Hayden noted that Motown records was incorporated on April 14th, 1960. The British Invasion brought groups like the Beatles to (American) audiences. In 1969, Woodstock brought more than 400,000 people together as an audience.

Penelope liked the lyrics, but also noted that the songs were based on what happened to people and it was a little scary.

Bela appreciated that there were a lot of female artists, Woodstock happened August 15-18, 1969, and that many British bands were influenced by Black American music.

Lillian especially liked Here Comes the Sun. Lyrics in the listening station were both happy and sad and she enjoyed the sounds of the instruments.

Zoey noted the lyrics are different from what you hear today, that it was old music, and some of the videos had black and white scenes.

I hear there’s a hint to our next month’s theme in the newsletter. See if you can figure it out with your students!