DILI, 02 august 2022 (TATOLI)— The Youth Communication Forum (YCF) is concerned about the lack of children’s songs in Timor-Leste, saying that currently, most Timorese children are influenced by adult songs and usually sing adult songs.
The Chairman of the YCF Foundation, Cipriano Freitas, said most children in Timor-Leste normally sing adult songs every day, saying, therefore, this is a serious issue that needs to be addressed.
“This is a serious issue that needs to be addressed, some adult songs are inappropriate for children to sing,” Cipriano Freitas told Tatoli at the FCJ Kintal Boot office, Monday.
Singing is simple and can be a fun activity for children, it also helps develop children’s verbal and brain skills when the song is suitable for them to sing.
Regarding this issue, Freitas recommends the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, and other relevant Ministries focus on Arts and Culture for children and find solutions to these problems.
To help the children develop their proper skills and practice self-expression, In 2008, YCF organized a music festival for children to select future children, YCF has selected Maria Vitoria and Lolla Cancio as the winners of the 2008 children’s festival, and this year YCF will organize a music festival for children to promote and develop children’s songs in Timor-Leste.
“We will organize a children’s music festival this year, of course, we do this to change their minds about songs that are suitable for them,”
UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) also reveals the benefits of music for young children who are exposed to music, their brain changes improve mood and empower children by reducing stress levels.
Even listening to the sad song can be a good thing given its catharsis power, making it easier for children to relate to their emotions.
The formation of the child’s brain is stimulated by chemicals consisting of dopamine and oxytocin. When this is released, children are encouraged to share toys, empathize and trust others, and improve concentration and productivity skills.
In a 2016 study, the University of Southern California’s Brain and Institution of Creativity found that musical experiences in childhood can accelerate brain development, especially in the areas of language acquisition and reading skills.
According to the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM Foundation), learning and playing an instrument can improve math learning and even improve grades.
But academic achievement isn’t the only benefit of music education and exposure. Music ignites all areas of a child’s development and skills for school readiness, including intellectual, socio-emotional, motor, language, and overall literacy.
It helps synchronize the body and mind to work together. Music and dance music help children build skills to practice self-expression.
Journalist: José Belarmino de Sa
Editor: Nelia B
