FOR SINGING IN THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

The obiectives of this research into ways of helping children who have difficulty finding and using their singing voices were (1) to make an intensive study of singing difficulties of elementary-school children, (2) to discover, observe, and analyze successful techniques and materials for use with children who have not learned to "carry a tune, " (3) to develop a Lequential remedial program for problem singers, and(4) to test the program in classrooms. Methods included a nationwide survey of singing problems among elementary-school children and the testing of corrective techniques and materials in the Western Illinois University Laboratory School and in selected public schools. Results established the importance of kinesthetic factors in discovering and developing the singing voice: the child must identify his singing voice as opposed to his speaking voice, and he must learn the sound and feeling of his voice as it matches pitches that he hears. (The appendices include copies of the survey questions, of a test of sinding ability, and of specific corrective materials used in the study.) (JS