| -- End Ad Box ---> | | | | 4. Optimizes brain neuron development & circuitry |
| All you need to do is visit the kids’ audio/video | | | | 5. Assists motor development especially coordination |
| section of your local CD shop and you will be | | | | of hands, eyes and body |
| bombarded with a multitude of educational | | | | 6. Expands multiple intelligences and helps |
| enhancement products to buy. You may find Baby | | | | students’ transfer study, cognitive and |
| Einstein’ or Brainy Baby’ and an | | | | communication skills from subject to subject in any |
| abundance of similar merchandise to make your child | | | | syllabus |
| smarter. These types of goods can be a wonderful | | | | 7. Group orchestra or ensemble activities help promote |
| way to introduce music to your children before the | | | | cooperation, social harmony and teach kids discipline |
| age of three. However, nothing can replace private | | | | while working together toward a common goal. |
| music lessons for a 3 to 9 year old. | | | | 8. Music augments memory. For example, most people |
| The brain develops at a rapid rate between birth and | | | | learn their ABC’s by singing them. Repeating a |
| three and is an essential window for the development | | | | tune in a predictable rhythmic song structure makes |
| of neurons. Therefore, encouraging musical exploration | | | | memorization easier. |
| is an easy way to promote intellectual development. | | | | 9. Singing is a great way to aid/improve reading ability |
| Before the age of three, toy instruments can be an | | | | and instruction. Karaoke is a perfect example. Children |
| excellent introduction to the real thing and group | | | | may learn a song by ear (auditory) but words on a TV |
| musical play classes can prepare a child for later | | | | or computer screen provide a simultaneous visual |
| study. Singing at any age is highly beneficial and | | | | anchor. |
| linguistic & musical awareness can begin as early as | | | | 10. In vocal music learning rhythm, phrasing, and pitch |
| the fifth month of pregnancy when the fetal brain and | | | | greatly enhances language, pronunciation, grammar, |
| ears are wide open to receive stimulus. | | | | and vocabulary skills. This is especially noticeable when |
| >From the age of 3 years old, a child’s brain | | | | using songs in first and second language study. |
| circuits are mature enough to begin instrumental and/or | | | | 11. Improves critical reading and writing |
| vocal lessons. Voice is probably the most important | | | | 12. Raises test scores, decreases performance |
| instrument because singing is a tremendous gateway | | | | anxiety, and teaches kids how to handle/manage |
| to confident communication and full self-expression. | | | | stress during standardized exams |
| The piano is usually the best musical instrument to start | | | | 13. Helps children channel unexpressed and/or negative |
| with because it does not require any specific fingering | | | | emotions in a positive way |
| to play. However, children should choose instruments | | | | 14. Boosts creative thinking |
| to play by the sounds they like. Kids will practice more | | | | 15. Reading music and performing memorized pieces |
| if they like the sound of an instrument. | | | | help children to think ahead |
| If your child chooses the piano, inexpensive electronic | | | | 16. Improvisation helps people to think on their |
| keyboards are a good way to begin because they | | | | feet |
| are very affordable and portable. Many brands on the | | | | 17. Solo performance is connected to self-esteem & |
| market today will display the notes on a digital screen | | | | self-efficacy. (concept of self capacity) Children learn |
| while music is being played. These types of keyboards | | | | to reach for their very best. |
| can greatly assist a child to begin to read musical | | | | 18. When kids prepare and consistently practice for |
| notes and symbols. They also often have built in | | | | recital or performance, they work to sing/play without |
| rhythm and song functions that make singing and | | | | errors. They generally apply similar determination and |
| dancing along with the music easy. | | | | perseverance to many future endeavors academic or |
| Since Howard Gardner’s Frames of Mind: | | | | otherwise. |
| The Theory of Multiple Intelligences in 1983 and | | | | 19. Improves understanding of homework and enables |
| Gordon Shaw and Francis Rauscher’s | | | | a higher levels of concentration |
| Mozart Effect in 1993, there has be much | | | | 20. Children who study music usually have a better |
| debate and research into whether or not music study | | | | attitude, are more motivated and are less intimidated |
| can be linked to better academic performance. | | | | by learning new things |
| You will find thousands of books, products, articles and | | | | Strong music reading, writing notation, sight singing |
| websites discussing the advantages of studying music. | | | | (solfege), music theory, literacy, and moving the body |
| For your convenience, the top 20 benefits reported for | | | | to music are solid, transferable skills. Learning is a |
| vocal and instrumental music study are listed below. | | | | two-way street. For example, one can assume that |
| 1. Music training has been linked to spatial-temporal | | | | mathematics can also develop music. Academic |
| reasoning skills. (I.e. ability to read a map, put puzzles | | | | achievement links positively with musical achievement |
| together, form mental images, transform/visualize | | | | and vice versa. |
| things in space that unfold over time, and recognize | | | | As early as the 19th century, the visionary Dr. Maria |
| relationships between objects. These skills are often | | | | Montessori included music and arts into her worldwide |
| helpful in science, math, and chess.) | | | | school curriculums to greatly enhance and accelerate |
| 2. Musical symbols, structure, and rhythmic training | | | | learning. |
| utilize fractions, ratios, and proportions, which are all | | | | Lorna Heyge, Ph.D., says: "While educational leaders |
| important in mathematical study. | | | | turn to early childhood music because it promotes brain |
| 3. Increases problem finding/solving, logic and thinking | | | | development, they will stay with music because of the |
| skills like analysis, evaluation and the linkage | | | | joy and stimulation experienced in actual music making. |
| organization of ideas | | | | |