5 Effects of Hip Hop Education on Early Childhood Development
Written by: Lucy Moline, RCAH Social Media Intern (Residential College of Arts and Humanities | MSU)
Creative Learning has been embraced by society, particularly in recent years, but Hip Hop Education is a subject that has yet to become mainstream. Through this post, we will highlight five positive impacts of utilizing hip hop in early childhood development.
1.Relevance Amongst Youth
Despite hip hop’s widespread impact, schools generally don’t view it as a necessary pillar of education. Jill Anderson, reporter for Harvard Graduate School of Education, dives into this concept in her piece, Humanizing Education Through Hip-Hop.
“Whether you believe it or not, hip-hop has reached most of our lives in some way, and most students’ lives, but it still seems to operate on the periphery of education in most schools,” Anderson writes.
Implementing hip hop in school curricula may encourage students to participate, especially considering its popularity amongst youth, it may pique their interest more than other subjects.
Music Therapy Specialist Alexander Crooke and Texas State University Associate Professor of Social Work Raphael Travis Jr. bring up another good point in their article The Healing Power of Hip-Hop: the familiarity of hip hop allows students to be more comfortable, thereby encouraging them to share their thoughts more freely.
“The repetitive, predictable nature of hip-hop beats is also said to provide a sense of safety, particularly during songwriting, and lyrical and musical improvisation,” Crooke and Travis write.
2. Processing Emotion
As mentioned previously, through music, students are able to be more vulnerable and discuss topics that they might not normally get to share. Hip hop music and production instructor Anthony Pineda uses this to his advantage when teaching his students.
“Hip-hop brings us the most personal feelings and thoughts of a person directly to you. It gives youth a space to speak, vent, process and grow,” Pineda writes.
Given his experience in Music Therapy, Alexander Crooke has extensive knowledge regarding the benefits of hip hop within child development; he points out that the lyrical element of hip hop is another tool that can be used to inspire young minds.
“This accessibility and inclusivity makes hip-hop such an effective therapeutic tool for working with young people,” Crooke and Travis write. “The lyrical content is a vehicle for building self-reflection, learning, and growth.”
3. Reducing Stigma
Hip hop not only acts as a vessel for processing emotion, but it also helps to tackle important issues that aren’t otherwise addressed in society. Mental health is largely stigmatized, so discussions within hip hop allow individuals to be more transparent about their struggles.
“In many communities, receiving mental health services is met with stigma and judgment—a repercussion that does not extend to writing and enjoying music,” Pineda writes.
Pineda also observes the bonding between students when hip hop is used as a tool for education, helping to foster community and promote inclusion in the classroom.
“[Hip hop] generates a whole new level of empathy, and establishes connection to each youth by validating their current emotional state,” Pineda writes.
4. Encouraging Creativity
Similar to other forms of music education, hip hop makes space for students to be creative and implement their own ideas.
Harvard University HipHopEx Director Aysha Upchurch has witnessed this creative process firsthand, as well as the benefits it can have for students.
“Hip-hop is all about take what you got, flip it, reverse it, make it something new,” Upchurch said for interview with Jill Anderson.
Having this creative outlet can have all kinds of benefits, teaching students lessons through experiential learning. Maryville University acknowledges these benefits in their article Creativity for Kids.
“[Creativity] supports mental growth through challenges involving elements like equality, balance, spatial relationships, and problem-solving,” Maryville University writes.
Recognizing Marginalized Groups
Since its origins in the Bronx in the 70’s, hip hop has been a space for marginalized groups to have their voices heard. This attitude is still apparent in music today, allowing upcoming artists to speak their minds.
“Marginalized communities the world over resonate with the ethos of resisting exclusion or discrimination and fighting for equity and justice,” Crooke and Travis write.
Counseling and Human Development Specialist for Louisville University, Ahmad Rashad Washington, knows very well the impact that hip hop therapy can have, particularly on black men.
“Hip-Hop culture and rap music resonate with many Black males because they encapsulate the aspirations and frustrations of Black males who have had to confront sociopolitical disadvantage and marginalization,” Washington writes.
Hip hop can create a space for marginalized groups to be seen, heard, and understood, which is not common in the field of education. Implementing this more within early childhood education ultimately helps all students feel equally represented.
Each of these five benefits can be seen within students of All Of The Above Hip Hop Academy. The resources provided here are unlike anything within the public school system, allowing students to expand their knowledge and become a part of a new community.
AOTA is a space for everyone; youth from all walks of life can come together to enjoy the healing power of hip hop. Hip hop is more than just rap, DJing, beatmaking, graffiti and knowledge, it’s a culture, a community, an inclusive space for everyone.
It truly is all of the above.
Sources:
Anderson, J. A. (2022, November 29). Humanizing Education Through Hip-Hop. Harvard Graduate School of Education. Retrieved November 22, 2024, from https://www.gse.harvard.edu/ideas/edcast/22/11/humanizing-education-through-hip-hop
Creativity for Kids: Benefits & Tips for Nurturing an Innovative Mind | Maryville Online. (2023, October 17). Maryville University Online. https://online.maryville.edu/online-bachelors-degrees/psychology/resources/creativity-for-kids-benefits-tips-for-nurturing-an-innovative-mind/
Crooke, A., & Travis, R., Jr. (n.d.). The healing power of hip hop. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/the-healing-power-of-hip-hop-81556
Pineda, A. (2019, April 16). Hip-Hop gave me purpose — now it helps my students find their voice. EdSurge. https://www.edsurge.com/news/2019-04-16-hip-hop-gave-me-purpose-now-it-helps-my-students-find-their-voice
Washington, A. R. (2018). Integrating Hip‐Hop culture and rap music into social justice counseling with Black males. Journal of Counseling & Development, 96(1), 97–105. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcad.12181
