If you haven’t yet watched Dr Anita Collins’ Ted Talk on the benefits of music education then it’s worth having a look: https://www.ted.com/talks/anita_collins_the_benefits_of_music_education?language=en
Dr Collins is an award-winning educator, researcher and author in the field of brain development and music learning. She explains that learning music improves cognitive function, helps us to learn language (because it helps to develop the left side of the brain), helps with memory, helps us to moderate our emotions, and to solve problems. Just think – songs can help children remember information, for example the alphabet song.
Dr Collins maintains that learning music is most beneficial if begun before the age of 7.
It helps children build their confidence. Like learning any new skill, this fosters self-belief and boosts confidence and perseverance to improve. Many children who study music demonstrate a greater sense of achievement, increased coordination, better memory skills. auditory skills, self-discipline, the ability to use music to relax, and responsible behaviours.
If you look on Spotify you’ll find all sorts of Mozart playlists for concentration. I used to listen to Mozart specifically when studying for exams. I had a teacher who used to put on the 8 minute opera ‘Ride of the Valkyries’ on her cassette recorder as our cue to tidy up the classroom at the end of the day. The tempo inspired us to clean as quickly as we possibly could. It inspired us to act quickly (just as a lullaby may inspire slowing down or settling to sleep).
Learning music also helps with motor skills. Just like physical activity, music helps children to develop their motor skills. Learning an instrument involves the voice or fingers but also ears and eyes and a range of different muscles. The mind-body connection at its best!
Children can enjoy expressing themselves through music, whether playing or singing, can be uplifted by a joyful song or become relaxed by peaceful music. We all know a teenager who loves singing or dancing along to the most popular song on the radio.
According to Christchurch-based start up Mi World Network, signs that your child may have a Musical Intelligence strength include:
- Enjoys feeling reverberations (e.g., loud sounds vibrating) in their body
- Seeks patterns in their environment
- Is drawn towards sound/ is zealous about music
- Easily memorises phrases and words in foreign languages
- Enjoys singing and dancing
- Shows noise sensitivity
- Remembers information by using lyrics or rhymes
- Has good rhythm
- Listens and responds with interest to a variety of sounds: human voice, music, environmental sounds
- Has a high level of understanding of musical structure including notes, pitch, rhythm, timbre, and tone
If you believe your child has a Musical Intelligence strength there are plenty of easy ways to include music in your child’s life. There are so many – you don’t need to buy a grand piano. Listen to Spotify playlists together, sing and dance, create drums and drumsticks from tin cans and kitchen items, play clapping games, look out for free music concerts. Your local library may offer music programs. Have fun with it!
