practice language; stimulate discussion of attitude and feelings; provide a comfortable atmosphere and bring variety and fun to learning.
As mentioned the advantages above, song for children can be used as a material in teaching and learning. The song can entertain and relaxing in
classroom activities. It also gives a positive energy for the children in learning English. By knowing the all advantages of the song, her, the researcher will use
some songs in developing appropriate tasks for kindergarten children.
c. Principles of Using Songs
Songs as a language learning tool can be used to teach in the classroom in all learning levels. The same as other levels of education, song can be used for
children as tools in teaching and learning process. Children’s characteristics as described in the previous discussion are like to do something new. Harmer 2001:
36 suggests that children can be involved in some fun activities because they love to discover things. They can easily use their imagination such as in the activity of
the physical movement or in songs. Songs can be used in many purposes. Murphy 1992 in Millington 2011
mentions that song can help children in improving their listening skill and pronunciation, therefore potentially helping them to improve their speaking skills.
It is also can be used in the learning of vocabulary, sentence structures, and sentence pattern.
According to Brewster et. al. 2002: 168 Songs can be used in many ways. They suggest that there are several frameworks that can be used as a guideline to
use song in language teaching. Below are some relevant frameworks of how to
use the action songs which is adapted from Brewster et al.
a. The teacher should set the context by telling the purpose or background
information. b.
The teacher is suggested to pre-teach any necessary vocabulary using
visual aids, actions, realia, puppets, etc.
c. Playing on cassette or sing the song should be done to allow children to
listen, show understanding, familiarize themselves with the rhythm, tune, etc.
d. Teacher invites children to listen, repeat and practice by joining in and
learning to sing.
e. Teacher gives a written record of the text.
f. Teacher encourages them to compare with similar type in their language.
g. Students present or perform the songs.
The combination of materials development with the uses of songs can definitely enhance learner involvement. There are many activities by using songs
that can be used in the process of learning. Fai li and lo 1998 propose five classroom activities as the chief of materials for teaching. Some of them are:
1. Song Dictation In this activity, the teacher reads the lyrics then the children are asked to
listen. This activity needs a full concentration of the children. The teacher should clearly read the lyrics. This activity is aimed at improving learners’
