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Article
written by Lawrence R. Rast, Ph.D.
Professor of Music
Northern Illinois University
HOW MUSIC HELPS YUR CHILD GROW.
Music is Basic.Can you imagine a world without music? Not just a great
musical masterpieces, but all kinds of music.
The kind that the postman whistles as he delivers the mail. the music
your hear on the radio. Or danced to the night of that unforgettable
class prom.
Stop and think for a moment.
All of the important events in your life included n some form or
another.
Psychologists may explain why music forms such a basic part of our
lives. But knowing why isn't as important as recognizing that it is.
So the very first reaction to
think about enriching your child's life with music is because music is
basic.
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Music
is Fun.
Let's never lose sight of this very important reason for music. It's
enjoyment! Listening to music
is fun. Playing the radio or stereo is even more fun, because you're in
control of the kind of music you want to hear. Being able to play the
music you want on an instrument could be the most fun of all.
Music can be a private partner
that turns an otherwise lonely hour into one filled with
self-satisfaction... a form of fun. Or it can provide the the basis for
the kind of pleasure that comes from a team activity by practicing or
performing with a group.
Learning to play just for the
fun of it is probably the best reason for any child to take lessons. If
your child cannot enjoy music simply for the fun of it, somehow he or
she could miss a great deal of the pleasure music offers.
Playing Unlocks a Rich Treasury.
For many children, playing an instrument is all that it takes to unlock
the storehouse of our rich musical heritage.
Discovering the masters through
a child's own playing can bring "great" music down to a personal level
of enjoyment. Playing sheet music rummaged from grandma's attic can
give your child a very personal view of his family's history. Even the
music of the previous generation becomes more rich and meaningful for
the child who is able to produce himself on a musical instrument.
Somehow all music becomes so
much more personal when you learn how to play. Another very good reason
to let children give music a try.
It Builds Confidence.
Accomplishment... any kind of accomplishment... definitely builds
confidence. Baking a cake. Catching a ball. Putting a radio or model
plane or dress together from a kit of pattern. Riding a bike without
falling down. Playing the trumpet. all of these accomplishments help a
child build self-confidence.
Of course no one can guarantee
that the musical child will grow up to be President. But, he or she
will have had a good hear start towards achieving some of the goals the
set out for themselves. That's how important all these
accomplishments... including music... are building confidence.
Improves Self-Image.
There is little doubt that self-image or self-concept is important, if
not vital, to a student's achievements. It's responsible for the kind
of goals he sees a s suitable for himself... an indicator of scholastic
achievement. And studying music can build that self-image.
Music Affects Overall Academic Performance.
Music students tend to perform better in mathematics, English, and
social science than non-music students. And why shouldn't they?
Computation is an integral part of making music. Listening is an
important part of learning any subject. And music teaches listening. It
also involves concentration, memory skills, alertness and self-control.
Studies have been done some time now on basic intelligence as it
relates to playing a musical instrument. While once it was said that
smart kids are in the band of orchestra, for some time now neurologists
have been finding that the kids are smart because they are in the band
or orchestra.
Recently a series of
comprehensive skills tests were run on 5,514 fifth graders in all
Albuquerque's 75 elementary schools... and guess what? In every single
test area, kids who were learning how to play an instrument and were
participating in the school band or orchestra, received higher marks
than their classmates. Not only that, the longer the student had been
in instrumental programs, the higher they scored!
Right Brain - Left Brain.
The theory of bi-lateralism of the brain has been thought by many to be
the reasons for increased intelligence in the artistic child. This
states that the brain is divided into two halves... the analytical
brain and the subjective-artistic brain. When both does not develop as
a whole, thereby not developing as well in total intelligence.
Dr. Frank Wilson, a well-known
neurologist, feels that increased intelligence is helped by a child
playing musical instrument, based on the fact that approximately 80~90%
of the brain's motor control capability is devoted to the hands, mouth,
and throat. He feels that by developing highly refined control in those
areas, a child is stimulating almost the entire brain, thereby
increasing total intelligence.
What About the Tin Ear?
The jokes about "tin ears" and "carrying tunes in wheelbarrows" are
probably as old as music.
The fact is that almost
everyone has some musical talent and is capable of learning to play a
musical instrument.
But some people might be more interested in other form of
accomplishment. Crafts. Sports. Art. Mechanical pursuits. So let the
child have the choice. There is no reason a child cannot excel in more
than one form of endeavor. Many prominent sports figures are also
accomplished musicians. People with well-rounded interests are usually
more successful in life.
Also, there's a valuable
lessons to learn in having tried music. Your child can learn that there
are choices to be made constantly. and decisions needn't be
irreversible. He'll develop the confidence that gives a person the
freedom to chance his mind. The freedom to position the enjoyment of
music in this pursuits.
Where to Start?
There is no better place than the instrumental music program at school.
the school band or orchestra director who will guide your child on
his/her instrumental activities is both an educator and musician. As a
trained specialist , it is his objective to give your child the best
musical experience possible. He knows music and he understands the
psychology of learning. In addition, he knows that young people are
individuals with varying personalities, aptitudes and needs.
As a music educator, the school
instrumental music teacher's goals is to make music in a meaningful and
pleasurable part of your child's life.
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