English in Rajadell: February 2018

Monday, 26 February 2018

How music affects children and their learning?

Did you know that music has been studied, and shown to have a significant impact on children and their learning? Specifically, it can affect a child’s brain development. So, while music may seem an unnecessary art form, or a skill that’s just ‘nice to have’ for some kids, it may be more than that. It may affect a child’s ability to comprehend educational subjects and communicative environments later in life.

Playing a musical instrument changes kids’ neurology and speeds up brain development: There are physical changes noticed in the brains of groups who had musical training and exposure.
Music can make kids smarter: aside from creativity, it can affect their IQ, and even their motor skills. Things like being able to think complex thoughts, or remember things are improved by musical ability. And, it makes sense that learning music can help with learning math; music has many mathematical applications, and can make a math lesson a ‘real life’ need, instead of ‘useless’ information.
Musical experiences with toddlers improve social skills and emotions: It can do this by helping kids expand their communication ability, pay attention longer, and control their emotions.
Music has benefits at different ages of kids’ development: We see that music can be beneficial to children and their learning in different ways as they age. While it may not all be related to cognitive development, music can help kids learn subjects or express themselves. For example, memorization can be encouraged by singing rhymes or repetitive songs with children. In the teen years, music preferences help kids form bonds with peers, often putting them in ‘groups’ of people who have similar tastes.