Songs We Grow By

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• Dr Ibrahim Baltagi, Lebanese American University
• Friday 06 February 2026, 17:30-18:30
• Lady Mitchell Hall, Sidgwick Avenue.

If you have a question about this talk, please contact Janet Gibson.

Abstract

From the first lullabies that soothe an infant to the anthems of adolescence, song traces the map of our becoming. More than 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. I will use brief examples from Arabic, French, and American children’s songs. These examples will show how familiar repertoire reflects cultural identity in language, imagery, and style. They will also show shared design features such as repetition, small pitch ranges, and a steady beat, which support learning and belonging. Drawing on music education, psychology, and neuroscience, I will outline what changes across stages and what endures: the voice as the most immediate instrument, rhythm as an organizer of attention, and shared singing as a practice that builds trust and community. Practical implications for families, schools, and community programs 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.

Biography

Dr Ibrahim H Baltagi is a music educator and lecturer at the Lebanese American University and Head of Music at Al Makassed schools in Beirut. He has taught at The Ohio State University and Baldwin Wallace University. He earned a PhD in music education from The Ohio State University and holds certificates in the Kodály method and Orff Schulwerk approach. He has led workshops in Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Malaysia, Cyprus, and the United States. His scholarship includes chapters in the International Handbook of Research in Arts Education, peer reviewed publications, and regular conference presentations on song and child development. His work with UNICEF Innocenti focuses on music, learning, and childhood wellbeing, and he has been featured as a music expert in UNICEF parenting masterclasses. He is the author of the Music Garden series and Let’s Read and Write Music, available in Arabic, English, and French. These series provide a pathway for learning through singing, movement, instruments, and creative music making, with emphasis on music literacy, performance, listening, and joyful classroom practice.

This talk is part of the Darwin College Lecture Series series.

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