It is a rare (and perhaps nonexistent) student who never comes unprepared to a music lesson. Summer is especially hard, with camps, vacations, sports activities, and freedom from structure. As both a parent and a music teacher, I have found it a challenge to create incentives that inspire a young Read more…
People who have the ability to relieve stress through musical or artistic self-expression are prepared to face a very challenging world. With increased self-control and esteem learned through studying the arts, they can overcome shyness and enter social situations with greater ease. People who have learned through studying the arts Read more…
A research team exploring the link between music and intelligence reported that music training is far superior to computer instruction in dramatically enhancing children’s abstract reasoning skills, the skills necessary for learning math and science. (Shaw, Rauscher, Levine, Wright, Dennis and Newcomb, “Music training causes long-term enhancement of preschool children’s Read more…
As mentioned earlier, studies have shown increased brain functioning associated with music listening. In fact, “early musical training helps develop brain areas involved in language and reasoning” (Children’s Music Workshop “Twelve Benefits of Music Education” 2005). Recent studies have shown that children who study arts perform higher on standardized tests Read more…
Music, dancing, and other art forms are integral parts of any culture. The familiarity with many types of arts creates understanding of other cultures, leading to empathy and compassion. In our global society, a child who is able to bridge cultural chasms is at a distinct advantage. Also, the mastery Read more…