Real Lessons from Reality TV
How Kodi Lee continues to teach us…
Over the summer, you may have come across Kodi Lee and his achievement on America’s Got Talent (AGT) shared across the media. Kodi’s appearance on AGT highlights various lessons that we can all learn, especially in regards to how music helps and affects individuals with special needs.
Superficiality:
It’s always so great to see an incredible talent put a crowd of people in awe – not to mention an individual with talent within a prejudiced population like Kodi! Sadly, individuals with special needs are often underestimated, and talents may lay hidden and undiscovered.
Benefits of Music:
Particularly in music, research has found that with certain diagnoses such as Autism, individuals can be quite musical due to their auditory processing abilities – the skill to recognize and make sense of information that is heard. These individuals often have a strong interest in music and respond very well – much like Kodi’s described wide-eyed reactions.
Improved Speech:
Like Kodi, sometimes singing can have the potential to improve fluency in speech. Due to the predictability of constant rhythm in a song, singing provides cues to facilitate the timing and coordination of speech production that help to increase fluency (Wan, Rüber, H Hohmann & Schlaug, 2010).
Character:
Although Kodi embodies extraordinary talent, tackling the AGT stage takes many hours of practice, as well as gaining experience performing in front of other people. Having a consistent practice schedule provides routine and helps towards understanding the instrument.
The chance to perform in front of others gives performers the opportunity to showcase their skills – our studio does just that with our our annual End-of-the-Year Party and Recitals, which is the highlight of the year for many of our students. Giving students something to work towards provides recognition for their practice, allows them to experience and overcome nervousness, builds confidence, and allows the opportunity to motivate and be motivated by others.
Importance of Relationships:
The idea that Simon Cowell broaches about the “great relationship” between Kodi and his mom – a supportive parent – alongside the encouragement and involvement of friends and family in a supportive nature provides the positive reinforcement that will continue to inspire students and continue their exploration in expression through music.
I am a firm believer that there is something valuable to be learned in every situation. The lessons above emphasized in Kodi’s performance and its’ affect on others only makes his performance all the greater and inspiring to those who watch it.
Reference:
Wan, C. Y., Rüber, T., Hohmann, A., & Schlaug, G. (2010). The Therapeutic Effects of Singing in Neurological Disorders. Music perception, 27(4), 287–295. doi:10.1525/mp.2010.27.4.287
