Benefits of Singing in School
Singing is well known to have a positive effect on people’s mood, but did you know it has a multitude of benefits that can help young people grow and develop in the classroom?
By implementing singing and musical activities into your curriculum, your pupil’s can benefit in a number of ways. From learning retention to increased confidence, find out how singing can have a positive impact on your pupil’s education.
Singing Can Help with Learning Retention
By learning songs and making up lyrics to remember specific topics, some children feel singing can help them retain information. In fact, in our latest 2021-22 Impact Report, 75%* of children reported that singing can help them to remember things.
When devising your next lesson plan, why not try integrating a new song to help your pupil’s with a particularly tricky subject, such as retaining a specific historic fact or learning how to count in a different language.
The Mental Health Benefits of Singing
Singing can also help improve mood and reduce stress. This is because the musical activity helps release endorphins**, which are known as the brain’s ‘feel-good’ chemicals.
Music can also be an incredibly powerful form of self-expression and creativity, allowing us to explore our innermost thoughts and feelings in an open environment.
Pupil’s who have taken part in a Voices Foundation Singing School programme have reported that singing helps boost their mood. As much as 72%* have even reported singing makes them happy!
“This is amazing for our pupils, this is great for mental health and wellbeing of all, teaching patience, coordination and teamwork. Children are happiest when singing together.” - Teacher involved in Voices Foundation Singing School programme.
Being Part of a School Choir Can Increase Social Interaction
Singing in school can help to create an inclusive environment where everyone is encouraged to participate.
Music activity creates opportunities for children to be heard, and it may consequently improve children’s self-esteem and confidence to express themselves in non-musical ways too!
In addition, some children with autism* have also found singing in school can contribute to an improvement in communication and speech.
“I have a child who has ASD [autism spectrum disorder] and he loves to sing. At the beginning of the year he would hardly communicate. Since Singing Schools he stands in front of the class and sings. He’s got that confidence and it’s really helped him to feel part of something.” - Teacher involved in Voices Foundation Singing School programme
How to Easily Incorporate Singing and Music into Your School Curriculum
There are many ways in which you can easily incorporate singing and musical activities into your school. Here are just a few of our suggestions:
Become A Singing School
At Voices Foundation, we help schools become Singing Schools by working directly with you as a teacher, as well as partnering with Music Education Hubs to provide training, resources, and strategic support.
We offer a variety of programmes - from primary to secondary education, as well as developing a bespoke itinerary just for your school. Through engaging CPD, to 1:1 classroom visits, twilight training, as well as choral leadership workshops, we can support your school in becoming a progressive Singing School.
Children’s Mental Health Week
Many schools take part in different activities during the annual Children’s Mental Health Week. This year, the countrywide event is taking place from 7th - 13th February 2023.
Why not try incorporating singing every morning to start the day on a positive note? You can easily start off by following our #VFVirutalSing Youtube playlist:
Songs for children to sing at school
If you’d like to dip your toes into the world of singing at school, why not start off with our #VFVirutalSing Youtube playlist.
Over the pandemic, our Music Practitioners recorded a series of sing-along videos, specifically designed for primary age children. Our songs have been chosen to be uplifting, positive and engaging. Popular song choices include “Old Captain Jack”, “The Penguin Song” and “Bumblebee Tuna”.
You can either follow the various videos in class, the assembly hall or encourage your pupil’s to try out our songs at home: