Directed Listening

Directed Listening is a method developed over many years by numerous researchers who were interested in the musical, cognitive, and physical development of children, but it can be used with adults as well. The methods and ideas here are presented by Donna Howard, who has used and tweaked these ideas as she has taught children and adults in grade school, church, and as a college professor as she taught a new generation of teachers how to incorporate music and directed listening into their classrooms. The ideas presented here include:

• Directed Listening lessons
• Melody Maps
• Rhythm Activities
• Midline Crossing
• Word Games
• Multisensory Learning
• Creativity and Movement
• Classroom Management
• And much more

These methods also incorporate ideas from Kodaly, Orff, and Dalcroze. The three of them were well-known children’s music educators who valued movement, dance, and creativity when teaching music.