Creation & Education
History
My first experience teaching music took place in a preschool setting in France. During that time, I soon realized that songs had a great entertainment value and a profoundly enriching effect on the students’ ability to learn. I was particularly motivated to discover an exciting and enjoyable approach towards teaching music that would help any children learn French as a native or foreign language.
When I moved to NYC in 1995, I created my own teaching program for children which allows them to learn French while singing songs and playing games. This fresh approach quickly became attractive to both students and their parents, and turned out to be an extremely effective way to teach young children.
I began by teaching traditional French songs, loved by generations in France. Then I naturally started to compose my own songs, appealing to my students, their need for catchy lyrics, short texts, everyday vocabulary, using present and first person. Since then, I have never stopped composing. Using my songs in order to reach out to my students has became second nature.
Today, children of various cultures attend my classes, and I am realizing that my songs work marvelously with both French speakers and foreign students, as music is a universal language that transcends all boundaries.
About Muriel’s songs
My songs are original compositions about everyday themes of childhood interest, such as animals, colors, numbers, parts of the body, clothing, toys, food, seasons, and more… Melodies, rhythms and sound effects are carefully orchestrated in order to illustrate the song’s meaning and style. I interpret them on my CDs.
The approach
LYS™ is elaborated for children 2-6. Classes are organized into playgroups. The multimedia approach was conceived to offer both structured and play activities at the same time. Original songs are taught through dance, mime, using puppets, musical games and art activities. Humorous props and colorful illustrations are systematically used in order to help children associate French words with the action of the songs. The constant flow of singing and play are never interrupted, allowing children to immerse themselves naturally into French language. All activities are age-appropriate. There is no English spoken during class: I lead by example.
"A child-centered" method
I have carefully observed children during class or in playgrounds. I have paid close attention to their behavior and conversations, all of which has offered me great insight into their worlds. While I am with them, lyrics and melodies naturally come to me. This is how I feel, hear and compose my songs, using my own voice and the inspiration which children give me. I consider it an essential part of my practice to implement a “child-centered” method where children are encouraged to fully live "their" song. But first and foremost, I regard each child in my class as an individual, and I have the highest respect for his or her inner world. Thus, children will find in me a teacher, an artist, but also a friend, as the “child in me” is always alive.
