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SUMMARY:Songs We Grow By - Dr Ibrahim Baltagi\, Lebanese American Universi
 ty
DTSTART:20260206T173000Z
DTEND:20260206T183000Z
UID:TALK235102@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Janet Gibson
DESCRIPTION:Abstract\n\nFrom the first lullabies that soothe an infant to 
 the anthems of adolescence\, song traces the map of our becoming. More tha
 n entertainment\, it is a medium through which children learn to attend\, 
 remember\, speak\, and feel with others. This lecture follows development 
 from infancy through adolescence to show how song supports language growth
 \, memory formation\, emotional regulation\, and social connection.\nI wil
 l use brief examples from Arabic\, French\, and American children’s song
 s. These examples will show how familiar repertoire reflects cultural iden
 tity in language\, imagery\, and style. They will also show shared design 
 features such as repetition\, small pitch ranges\, and a steady beat\, whi
 ch support learning and belonging.\nDrawing on music education\, psycholog
 y\, and neuroscience\, I will outline what changes across stages and what 
 endures: the voice as the most immediate instrument\, rhythm as an organiz
 er of attention\, and shared singing as a practice that builds trust and c
 ommunity. Practical implications for families\, schools\, and community pr
 ograms will include simple routines that nurture resilience and inclusive 
 classrooms. In an age of uncertainty\, song remains a durable resource for
  growth and cohesion\, binding individuals to themselves\, to one another\
 , and to the wider world.\n\nBiography\n\nDr Ibrahim H Baltagi is a music 
 educator and lecturer at the Lebanese American University and Head of Musi
 c at Al Makassed schools in Beirut. He has taught at The Ohio State Univer
 sity and Baldwin Wallace University. He earned a PhD in music education fr
 om The Ohio State University and holds certificates in the Kodály method 
 and Orff Schulwerk approach.\nHe has led workshops in Lebanon\, Syria\, Jo
 rdan\, the United Arab Emirates\, Malaysia\, Cyprus\, and the United State
 s. His scholarship includes chapters in the International Handbook of Rese
 arch in Arts Education\, peer reviewed publications\, and regular conferen
 ce presentations on song and child development. His work with UNICEF Innoc
 enti focuses on music\, learning\, and childhood wellbeing\, and he has be
 en featured as a music expert in UNICEF parenting masterclasses.\nHe is th
 e author of the Music Garden series and Let’s Read and Write Music\, ava
 ilable in Arabic\, English\, and French. These series provide a pathway fo
 r learning through singing\, movement\, instruments\, and creative music m
 aking\, with emphasis on music literacy\, performance\, listening\, and jo
 yful classroom practice.\n\n
LOCATION:Lady Mitchell Hall\, Sidgwick Avenue
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