Colour-pencils

I don't know what is it with kids and colour-pencils. 

The kids I teach LOVE colour-pencils. 

And since using them adds a dash of fun to everything (it's a little like being allowed to watch TV/movies in the name of education, I suppose), I allow them to write/draw in some parts of their theory books with colour-pencils ~ even where colouring is not required ~ and especially if it has got to do with matching with lines, ticks, crosses and other random activities excluding drawing notes on the stave. It seems to me that the favourite colour of nearly every little girl is PINK ~ and so, the pink colour-pencil is always in high demand! Followed by purple.  

Of course I make sure that the kids don't get too absorbed in the colouring that the lesson loses its focus. (I am after all, a music teacher - not a visual arts teacher!) Nevertheless... since the experience of certain colours positively impacts the brain development of children by increasing alertness, relieving eye fatigue, improving attention span and concentration abilities, achieving mental stimulation, creating systems of order... I like engaging colours in the learning processes. I even celebrate baby steps and little successes with colour! :) Not too surprisingly, the colours in my kids' books make me a very happy teacher indeed.

(A good paper to read on the impact of colour on learning is one by Kathie Engelbrecht, which can be found at this link.)