Singing in music education as a tool for the development of children's communication skills

This chapter examines how singing in music education serves as a valuable method for developing children's communication skills. Far from being merely a musical exercise, singing opens unique opportunities for children to express themselves, form social relationships and improve emotional well-being, providing a solid foundation for lifelong communication skills. When singing in a group, children develop essential skills - such as attentive listening, empathy and cooperative teamwork, which contribute to their social identity and emotional health. However, group singing is in decline, partly due to digital distractions and changing pedagogical methods, which threatens its place in today's school programmes. Citing relevant research by academics on the subject, this chapter emphasises the urgent need for an innovative, holistic teaching approach to reintegrate singing into music lessons. It argues that including singing in formal music curricula can develop musical skills and social and emotional competencies crucial for building responsible and engaged members of society.