A Kodaly-Inspired Music Program for Children Aged 4 & Above
Every Child Sings (ECS) is a three-level series designed to teach musicianship skills to children ages 4 to 6 through the Kodály Concept of Music Education. To meet the challenges of adapting Kodály’s concept for this specific use, we have provided detailed lesson plans with various supporting materials for introducing basic musical elements and developing essential skills.
Taught according to the capabilities of the child, this Kodály-inspired course introduces musical elements in a pedagogical and sequential manner. The children are guided from sound to sight, from known to unknown, and from simple to complex concepts.
Musical concepts to be learned are rhythm, melody, expression, terminology, and symbols. Musical skills to be developed are singing, listening, movement, memory, inner hearing, writing, reading, part-work, improvisation, composition, and instrumental work. These are learned in different ways–kinesthetic, auditory and visual–through experiencing singing games and activities of traditional music and using the musical tools of rhythm names, relative solfa, and hand-signs.
Materials your child will receive
Frequently asked questions
what is the difference between ecs and other similar early childhood programmes?
Every Child Sings (ECS) makes up a series of three levels that is designed to teach children fundamental music skills using the Kodály approach. Zoltán Kodály, the defining figure of 20th-century music pedagogy, developed a teaching pedagogy known as the Kodály Method for developing musicianship skills through experiential learning. This method uses folk songs, Curwen hand signs, graphic notations, movable-do, rhythm names, and solfege syllables.
Develop musical literacy. The development of musical literacy is given a strong emphasis in ECS. After melodic and rhythmic elements are introduced, lessons will include reading and writing. As Kodály stressed, “The only way to be receptive to the adventure of sounds is through reading and writing music. […] without the acquisition of reading and writing, music remains inconceivable and enigmatic. ‘Music reality’ can only be achieved by reliable music literacy.” (Kodály, Remarks on the New School Curriculum, 1961).
Sing. Singing is an underlying objective in each lesson. Kodály believed that singing is the foundation of musical learning.
“The most simple instrument is the voice. Everybody has a voice. Singing does not involve financial costs, there is no cost for an instrument, and the only need is a competent, good teacher.”
(Kodály, The Example of Kecskemet, 1930).
Sing first. With this program, children are taught to sing first, and then play instruments. Kodály was convinced that instrumental music making should only begin after vocal experience has developed the child’s aural capacity: “Those who have learned to sing first, and only then to play an instrument, will catch the “melos” of any music much more quickly.” (Kodály, Speech made at the Opening of the Academic Year 1946-47 at the Budapest Academy of Music, 1946).
However, most of the other music programmes in the same category do not use a structured process to follow a child’s natural learning development and accommodate their learning styles. Reading and writing, as well as other musicianship skills are often overlooked.
Is ecs a singing course?
ECS is more than a singing course. Using singing as the best instrument to engage a child in music learning, they recognise basic musical concepts through direct experience and active music involvement before learning to play instruments. Once vocal experience has developed the child’s aural capacity, they will catch the essence of any music much more quickly for instrumental music making.
Will my child use all the materials from the student set? how will they use the materials?
Yes, students will use everything in the student’s book pack in the lessons for active music making activities.
Song Book – containing music scores with lyrics, provides song materials for children to practice singing and follow the steady beat in their classes.
Activity Book – containing exercises for reading and writing, provides practice opportunities in the classroom and at home for musical concept reinforcement.
Sticker Book – containing activity stickers (heartbeats, rhythm/melody, planner, etc.), provides stickers for practice activities in the Activity Book and Song Book to learn about musical concepts, as well as planner and name tag stickers.
Playing Cards – containing rhythm and solfege cards, are for rhythm and melodic games.
Claves – the simplest percussion instrument, are for children to practise keeping the beat and playing rhythm.
Together they are designed to make learning music engaging and stimulating.
Why Does ECS not provide CD backing tracks for the music like other children courses?
Kodály believed that the elements of music should be distilled from live music and singing. Listening to their own singing voices allows children to develop a good intonation, sing beautifully and at a reasonable pitch, phrase the melody and correct pronunciation in keeping with the character of the song. Therefore, they should not listen to any backing tracks at this stage while singing or playing, which background music will distract them from the listening and singing skills being learnt.
Can my chilD learn everything ECS covers in one-to-one piano / violin lessons?
One to one piano/violin lessons usually follow a curriculum determined by some exam boards with a single focus to learn instrumental and technical skills for music pieces. In order to include all the benefits of the Kodály-inspired program, ECS can be incorporated in an instrument study with an additional allocation of time for the development of musicianship skills, including singing, reading, writing, making music, analysing music, and listening music. Instead of performing polyphonic part work with a student partner, students can always play different parts with the teacher in a one-to-one lesson.
Can my chilD DO ECS TOGETHER WITH SUZUKI LESSONS?
Yes, but only upon the advice of the teacher. Suzuki one-on-one lessons can be intense, and depending on the child’s age and capacity, ECS 1 is best as a pre-instrumental class if the child is 4 years old. However, ECS 2 is recommended to be taken as a concurrent class if the child is in Suzuki Book 2.
Can i sit next to my child during the ECS classes?
Yes! You are highly recommended to be there. Due to the nature of the online class, your presence would be needed in many of the activities.
Your Teacher
Teacher Irene Bennett is a trained teacher for ECS 1 and 2. She has trained with Alethia Ngo at V7 Music Academy located in Puchong, Selangor, Malaysia.
Teacher Irene finished her Bachelor in Music on Piano Performance at the Adventist University of the Philippines and took her masters in music education at Andrews University at Berrien Springs, Michigan.
She is also a trained Suzuki piano teacher and has been mentored by the late Carmencita Arambulo. She and her students are active participants of the Philippine Suzuki Association.