Art For Children
Music And Children
Music Lessons
Music brings people from around the world together, it is like a universal language inherent in all of us and it plays a major role in almost all cultures.
Regardless of where you are from a good melody is something that everyone can enjoy and understand In fact, researchers now think it may predate language in human development.
It is therefore not surprising that children love music and whether it is dancing around the living room on a rainy day or singing along to the radio, children love listening to and participating in music.
Music is present in many aspects of our lives such as in television, movies, worship, holidays, celebrations, and government and military ceremonies.
Our island now brags of a number of music festivals every year and they are usually all well supported.
From birth, parents instinctively use music to calm and soothe children, to express their love and joy, and to engage and interact. Parents can build on these natural instincts by learning how music can impact child development, improve social skills, and benefit kids of all ages.
Music and the Brain: The Benefits of Music
A 2016 study done at the University of Southern California’s Brain and Creativity Institute, found that musical experiences in childhood can actually accelerate brain development, particularly in the areas of language acquisition and reading skills.
It was also found that learning to play an instrument can improve mathematical learning and exam performance.
But academic achievement isn’t the only benefit of music education and exposure.
Music ignites all areas of child development and skills for school readiness: intellectual, social and emotional, motor, language, and overall literacy. It helps the body and the mind work together.
Exposing children to music during early development helps them learn the sounds and meanings of words. Dancing to music helps children build motor skills while allowing them to practice self-expression. For children and adults, music helps strengthen memory skills.
Other benefits for children involved in music include:
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Building confidence and promotes self-esteem - When children play an instrument they build confidence as they improve and as they perform with a group or even solo.
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Discipline - To improve in music, you have to devote time to lots of practicing on your own which requires discipline. When you are playing in a band or orchestra, you have to be willing to wait your turn to play and this teaches discipline and the ability to pay attention.
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Children also learn to express themselves through music which also allows them to break out of their social shell and relate to others.
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Music encourages creativity in children who try to experiment as they grow more confident and try new things through music.