Just as we have grown up and the ABC song we learned has changed, the melody that is now in our core memory has been altered. However, that original melody continues to play in our minds and will always remain. This change is a bit difficult for us to digest, and hearing the new melody can be uncomfortable. But for the new generation hearing it for the first time, it will seem completely normal.
When Was The Old ABC Song Made?
“The ABC Song” was first copyrighted in 1835 by Boston music publisher Charles Bradlee. The melody is from a 1761 French music book and is also used in other nursery rhymes like “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”, while the author of the lyrics is unknown.
What Changed In ABC Song
‘ABC’ alphabetical song melody changed If you listen carefully, you’ll notice that the melodies for the alphabet song and “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” are identical. We use “Y and Z” to keep the original rhythm of “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.” Interestingly, “L, M, N, O, P” used to be sung very quickly, which contrasts with the newer version of the alphabet song. This updated version, now common in American schools, keeps the same tune but changes the phrasing. It adds pauses after “G,” “N,” “Q,” “T,” and “W,” and ends with “XYZ.” The final lines have also changed to, “Now I never will forget, how to say the alphabet.”
Why They Changed The ABC Song
The traditional alphabet song has a few issues. When sung quickly, the letters ‘LMNOP’ tend to blend together, leading many young children to incorrectly believe ‘elemenop’ is a single letter. Additionally, the way ‘Y and Z’ is sung can sound like ‘Y N Z,’ which adds an extra, unintended letter to the song.
A Clearer Alphabet Song May Be A Step Toward Improving Literacy
A first-grade teacher from the USA, known as @teacherrachelsorsel on TikTok, explained that the recent changes to the alphabet song were made to help reduce confusion that some children experience. Research shows that when kids are learning to read, they need to develop two key skills: the alphabetic principle and phonological awareness.
The alphabetic principle helps children understand that letters represent sounds, while phonological awareness allows them to identify and work with these sounds. If kids start to think of “LMNOP” as just a random sequence of sounds or if they confuse the “and” in “Y and Z” as being a separate letter, it can make it harder for them to grasp basic reading skills. The changes to the song are designed to support these foundational skills and make learning easier.
“When kids struggle with something as ‘simple’ as the alphabet song, we know that these reading skills are going to be tough for them and those are foundational to be able to decode and read.
Conclusion:
In summary, the updates to the ABC nursery rhyme are designed to improve how children learn. Changing the melody and lyrics helps reduce confusion and supports essential reading skills, like understanding that letters represent sounds and recognizing those sounds in words. Though these changes might seem different to those familiar with the old version, they aim to make it easier for young learners to grasp the alphabet and build a strong foundation for reading.
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