Sound is our biggest information gathering sense, our primary means of communication, at the very core or our existence as interconnecting humans. But are we prioritising it when planning the learning environment, as we should be?
Let’s talk about the sound environment within the physical environment.
Sound is our most powerful sense and has a huge impact on our cognitive function, but in this world of constant racket – traffic, technology, notifications, pings, background music – have we forgotten how to actually listen?
Hearing is the only sense that is active pre-birth. As soon as we are born it is gathering information from the sound environment and shaping connections in our brain. The sound processing system starts with sound waves entering the brain via the vestibular in the ear, or bone conduction, create electrical pulses that impact our emotional responses, our cognitive processing (sound to meaning) and our motor responses. Sound processing is a superpower for brain development.
Neuroscience evidence shows us that music and movement is a supercharge for the sound processing system, for attention, memory and reward. It also shows that music training helps hearing speech in noise, an important benefit when children get to a school environment.
Nina Kraus tells us that “The processing of sound drives many of the brains core functions – how we think, feel, move and combine our senses”.
(Nina Kraus, Brainvolts Auditory Research Laboratory, NW University, USA. Of Sound Mind)
The evidence is clear, we should prioritise consideration of the sound environment in settings and homes when planning the learning environment. Big open spaces with high ceilings and hard surfaces adds to overwhelming noise in our classrooms and homes. Creating a sound environment that isn’t overwhelming for children, whilst helping their auditory processing can be as easy as rethinking the spaces. Soft furnishings, using furniture to create partitions, and noise-absorbent textiles can all help to transform your space into calm, safe, interesting areas.
Dr Kathryn Murray – founder of Future Strong Education Consultancy in Australia, and an environment design expert – recommends a range of defined learning spaces in the learning environment. The brain works best when it has a sense of security and feels safe; then it can think clearly. Creating spaces of different sizes creates interest for the brain, whilst enhancing focus and confidence. Having larger spaces for group music activities – singing, dancing, movement, as well as smaller spaces where children can experiment with sound in a focused way adds to the emotional connection to music through sensory experiences. This adds to the thinking that children do based on the emotions that are stirred by music. We should also give consideration to sound play spaces outside, as well as inside. Making use of the nature around us can provide another great soundscape for learning.
Once educators are confident with their understanding of sound and initiating music activities, they will be able to build musical confidence and resources to notice and play with sounds, and facilitate music activities every day. This will enable them to support children to develop this same confidence. They can think about processing the sounds, discussing how they make us feel, what we liked or didn’t like, how we could use different objects to make sound, how to move with the sound. These are all conversations that the teacher can facilitate both in small defined, well curated, sound-friendly spaces or the bigger group music and movement meeting spaces.
Boogie Mites and Future Strong Education advocate sharing education about the importance of the sound environment with parents. This can be done via a music parent education workshop.
If you are interested to find out more about this topic head over to EYTV Masterclass and register for the 4 module course presented by Dr Kathryn Murray and Sue Newman:
Sound Environment Matters Masterclass with Dr Kathryn Murray & Sue Newman (earlyyears.tv)
The course also includes top environment tips for the classroom or home from Dr. Murray and access to Boogie Mites videos, songs and music activities to trial with your children, in a calm space. You can observe their brains processing the sounds as they take part. You will be amazed to find out just how much the sound environment matters!
