In addition to transforming the playground, the gift funded a set of authentic musical instruments from around the world for each classroom. One child, for example, came back from a doctor's appointment very subdued. She couldn't talk about what was bothering her. Instead, she used one of the gathering drums in the classroom to make a chant. She found a way to communicate what she had experienced and to vent her anger by chanting, 'Went to the doctor. . .had to get a shot. .
Children also work on making up new lyrics to old melodies.
At parent conferences, teachers make a point to discuss a child's rhythmic or musical responses to raise awareness in parents of the importance of music and sound in their children's development. Some might not be part of the Cornell University community, and Cornell has no control over their content or availability.