Benefits of Music

Music is not just about entertainment for our children, or for anyone for that matter, it is much more than that.

Much research has been conducted into the benefits that learning, listening to, dancing to or simply being exposed to music on a regular basis, can have on a child’s development.

 

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Exploring musical horizons

As a preschooler, children are at the perfect age to expand and explore their musical horizons and abilities. Research shows that children who are actively involved in music-

  • Interact better with others
  • Have higher self esteem and confidence
  • Have more control and focus over their bodies
  • Perform better in reading, maths and spelling at school

How does music benefit us?

Through controlled behavioural studies and neurological research, it has been proven that music study actively contributes to brain development. Research suggests that children who grow up listening to music, singing songs and moving to the beat are forging more pathways (neural connections) between the cells in their brains. Musical experiences are an important way to help create these pathways. While listening to music certainly helps to create them, the strongest connections are made when children actively participate in music. So, to summarise…

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Music Education Makes Kids Smarter!

"Where is the proof?", I hear you ask! Here are a few interesting facts we found based on actual research into the topic:

Interesting Study #1

A study of 237 second grade children used piano keyboard training and newly designed math software to demonstrate improvement in math skills. The group scored 27% higher on proportional math and fractions tests than children who that used only the math software. Graziano, Amy, Matthew Peterson, and Gordon Shaw, “Enhanced learning of proportional math through music training and spatial-temporal training” Neurological Research 21 (March 1999)

Interesting Study #2

A research team exploring the link between music and intelligence reported that music training is far superior to computer instruction in dramatically enhancing children’s abstract reasoning skills, the skills necessary for learning math and science. Shaw, Rauscher, Levine, Wright, Dennis and Newcomb, Music training causes long-term enhancement of preschool children’s spatial-temporal reasoning.” Neurological Research Vol 19, February 1997.

Interesting Study #3

A University of California (Irvine) study showed that after eight months of keyboard lessons, preschoolers showed a 46% boost in their spatial IQ. Rauscher, Shaw, Leine Ky and Wright, Music and Spatial Task Performance: A Causal Relationship,” Universiyy of California, Irvine, 1994.

Interesting Study #4

In a study performed in a school in Wisconsin in the US, the children in the Kindergarten classes who were given music instruction scored 48% higher on spatial-temporal skill tests than those who did not receive music training. Rauscher, F.H., and Zupan, M.A. (1999). Classroom keyboard instruction improves kindergarten children’s spatial-temporal performance: A filed study. Manuscript in press, Early Childhood Research Quarterly.

The evidence

So the evidence is there in black and white, and it makes perfect sense; why wouldn’t the art of studying an instrument do all of the above?

The art of learning to play a musical instrument helps you develop:

  • Stress relief
  • Self confidence
  • Hand eye coordination
  • Concentration and Patience
  • Empowerment and inspiration
  • The all important art of relaxation

All of these things will not only greatly assist children during their school years but they are all development tools that will assist in all aspects of their adult life as well. Set your child up to succeed from as early age and introduce music into their lives.

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