Module 6
- Title of piece: "Down by the Banks of the Hanky Panky"
- Performer(s): Members of the Roslin Orphanige
- Culture of Origin: American children's game
- Instrumentation: Singing voice and clapping
Musical play holds an important role in social development of children. Chooi-Theng and Campbell point out in their article that "children use play as a vehicle for cultural learning, and their play can serve as an important indicator and reflection of their development" (Chooi-Theng Lew & Campbell, 2005, p. 58). This song, in particular, demonstrates the cultural importance and the developmental stage of learning to take turns. Children know that for this particular game-song to work properly, they must wait their turn to clap their neighbor's hand. As music teachers, it is important that we tap into the natural tendencies that children have to learn through music. If we are building from children's natural abilities and desires, then it adds validity to what we do in our classroom.
Chooi-Theng, Lew, J., & Campbell, P.S. (2005). Children's natural and necessary musical play: Global contexts, local applications. Music Educators Journal, 91(5), 57-62
Hi Amanda,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed watching the children play the game and follow the rules. While they did an admirable job of sending the clap around the circle, I wondered why they didn't also join in the singing. I found out that the Roslin Orphanage is in West Timor, so language might be an issue, as this was not a song of their native culture. Nonetheless, they seemed to enjoy the game, so the adult leader appeared to be providing the children with a cross-cultural experience that was positive, as Campbell & Lew (2005) suggest. Thanks for sharing!