Happy summer, everyone! I hope you are all enjoying the warm, sunny weather.

I’ve been feeling particularly inspired lately to write about a teaching technique that has become a global trend, and one that I rely on heavily in my own practice. As both an educator and a mother, I have seen firsthand how music influences us, from the womb all the way through adulthood. Music has a unique, powerful ability to evoke a vast spectrum of emotions, joy, excitement, or even gentle melancholy, depending on the melody and lyrics. In our social lives, music often acts as a bridge; when a song goes viral or a group of people connects over a shared love for an artist, that bond inevitably strengthens. But beyond social connection, music offers incredible cognitive benefits. You have likely noticed an influx of social media videos featuring teachers singing to their students during lessons. While dancing and being silly with kids is fun, it isn’t the only reason we incorporate music into the classroom. After all, if the goal were simply to have a good time, we might just eat popcorn and watch movies all day

So, why do we really use music? It comes down to memory. Because music triggers such strong emotions, those experiences become memorable “anchor moments” for the brain. We tend to hold onto emotional memories far longer than we retain dry, factual information For example, teaching a child to count from one to ten using the rhythm and melody of “1, 2, Buckle My Shoe” is significantly more effective than simply reciting numbers in the traditional, outdated fashion. Classic songs like “The Itsy Bitsy Spider” have engaged children for generations, but today’s educators are taking it a step further by writing original lyrics to match their specific lesson plans. The results are incredible. Students are not only more engaged and enthusiastic, but they are also absorbing complex material almost subconsciously, learning the content just as effectively as if they were sitting through a formal lecture, but with far more joy.

While the style of music might change as students grow from early childhood into middle school or even college, there is always a way to incorporate it into a lesson. With the high accessibility of educational videos and digital resources, I encourage every teacher, provided you have the appropriate permissions, to use music to boost student outcomes. I will always be a champion of music in education, and I look forward to continuing to use it both in my teaching and at home.

What is your opinion on using music in the classroom? If you enjoy using it, please share your favorite song or go-to classroom track in the comments below! Until next time, take care, my friends, and keep enjoying your summer jamming out to your favorite songs!

Xoxo , Georgia (@TeachingLittleReaders)