I would teach children music, physics, and philosophy, but most importantly music. For the patterns in music and all the arts are the keys to learning – Plato
Knowing first hand the benefits of music in our school system, this blog will focus on the importance of arts and music education.
In elementary school, about once a week the music teachers from the local high school would come to our class. They always had a musical instrument to show and play for us. In fifth grade those teachers came in and tested all the fifth graders- It was called a pitch test. We wore headphones and listened to different sounds. We would make a mark to signify which pitch was higher or lower. Music education opened so many doors for me. At ten years old, I was so painfully shy and afraid of everything. Music helped me express myself, helped me relate to others, and since I was an only child, I felt was really great. Music helped me learn what healthy competition was all about. I also learned thru practice, and listening to my music teacher that the sky was the limit.
Arts and music education is very important in the public and private school settings. Statistics show that learning a musical instrument early in life, helps train a young mind using both sides of the brain. Musical training helps speech and gives the young mind the necessary tools to aid in reasoning. Student musicians also learn to stimulate memory thru reading and memorizing sheet music. Practicing is secondary for budding musicians. Students learn how to improve their music abilities by practicing. Just as learning sports develop hand to eye coordination, so does music education. Finger positions, hand movements, memorizing techniques, help a budding music student utilize hand to eye coordination. Music involves more than a voice and correct fingering technique, musicians are trained early on to use different skill sets often at the same time.
A study published in the Northwestern review suggests that neural activity made during musical training prime the brain for other aspects of human communication. The brain cannot process all of the sensory info that is in the world. It is stated that playing a musical instrument conditions the brain to choose what is relevant in musical sounds.
Children love music because it’s often times their first introduction to self-expression. As parents who know the importance of music education, how do we introduce and develop musical interest in our children? Try to remember when you where a kid. How did music make you feel? We can start by encouraging our children to sing along, dance, and express themselves. Dance and sing along with them. Sing anything with them- A commercial jingle, a cartoon opener, or anything on the radio. Expose them to a variety of music. Let them experience the vast array of musical styles the world has to offer. We think you’re in the right place.