Keynote Speakers 2009
Hugh Hanley | Joseph
P. Kropp
Hugh Hanley
Circle of Songs
36 Devereaux Street
Arlington, MA 02476
http://www.hughhanley.com/
Keep Singing! Song in the Early Childhood
Classroom
Musical play is part of our human heritage. We “folks” have been
singing, playing, and working with music since we first came together in
communities. Over the millennia, children have used musical play to learn
about themselves and the world in which they live. It has played a very important
part in the social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development of children
in their earliest years. There are a number of reasons why we rarely see
children engaged in interactive, musical play in our 21st Century American
culture, much to their and our loss.
This keynote presentation is a “pep talk” for teachers young,
old, and in-between, who can help young children enjoy the many benefits
of a “hands-on” musical experience in their early childhood classrooms.
We’ll explore the many ways that music helps children develop. We’ll
learn some simple, developmentally appropriate songs and music activities
that teachers can use to put learning and FUN in their classroom singing.
Finally, we’ll come away with the knowledge that the best music for
young children is the music that they can participate in with other children
and with the adults in their lives, song and musical play that we can all
do, together.
Hugh Hanley has been singing with young children for over twenty years in his work as an early childhood educator, music specialist and entertainer. His work has helped him gain an understanding of young children as developing music makers and a familiarity with the environments in which they play and learn. He draws from a wide and varied repertoire of songs, fingerplays, and music activities that are appropriate, accessible, and highly engaging. Hugh has learned all of the material he uses in his work from folk traditions, children, and their teachers and parents.
