Can Music Make Our Children Smarter?
By Mary Rudy
Kindermusik, Mary Rudy, Livingston, MT - (406) 333-9595
Yes, according to ancient wisdom
and modern research. Plato once said that music is a more potent
instrument than any other form of education. Now scientists know
why. Music trains the brain for higher forms of thinking, and
the first seven of life are the most important time to develop
a musical aptitude in children.
Well-known research by Frances Rauscher shows that pre-schoolers
have a 43 percent increase in spatial intelligence and abstract
reasoning after taking weekly keyboard lessons. But what about
non-performance musical experiences, like singing, moving and
dancing to music, playing rhythm instruments and learning musical
notes? And does parental involvement make a difference?
This is what researchers at Sam Houston University set to find
out by studying children ages 4-6 from various socio-economic
backgrounds. Half of the group had a 75- minute Kindermusik class
for 30 weeks. The other half did not. Children were tested before
and after the study. Kindermusik was chosen for the study because
it offers a variety of musical experiences and encourages parent
involvement during class time and with home activities.
The Kindermusik group scored significantly higher on intelligence
scores than the non-music group. And children whose parents were
involved jumped from the 50th percentile up to the 87th, and had
significantly higher scores in abstract reasoning (used in problem
solving and advanced math.)
The children were also tested on their musical skills. Children
who had Kindermusik showed a huge improvement in singing on pitch,
keeping a steady beat and matching rhythms and melodies. Other
studies also show high correlation between music and high cognitive
performance (something to think about, as school music programs
across the country are eliminated).
Toddlers who had attended Kindermusik classes before the study
scored even higher and improved more rapidly on intelligence scores
than other children, confirming recent articles in Time and other
news sources about how exposing babies and toddlers to music makes
them smarter! According to child specialists, music has profound
benefits for a child's total developmentcognitive, social,
emotional, physical, language and or course musical.
How does music work its magic on the brain? Music is related to
the development of the frontal lobes of the brain during a sensitive
"learning window" from birth to age six. Frontal lobes
help us see the "big picture" in tasks like puzzles,
and eventually in disciplines like math and science.
Keeping the beat to music stimulates the frontal lobes, as do
all rhythmic musical activities like dancing, rocking, and playing
sticks, bells and drums.
That is why Kindermusik, a national program designed by music
and early childhood specialists, has unique music programs for
children from birth through age 7. Each program is designed to
be age-appropriate, involves the parent and includes home materials.
Benefits start from the earliest days of infancy. According to
infant specialist Dr Guendolyn McGraw, babies are interested in
sounds from birth, and may even match pitch or "sing"
to a simple song! All musical stimulation will benefit their later
development. In a Kindermusik Village class, babies explore a
variety of music and songs with their parents, moving to steady
beat and dances and trying out instruments like chime balls, drums,
bells and egg shakers. The baby's innate sensitivity to sound
and silence is heightened. Whether dancing to the Virginia Reel,
playing peek-a-boo with scarves or shaking a rattle to a Calypso
tune, babies also thrive on the social interaction as they enjoy
music with other babies.
At 18 months, toddlers become eager to explore the world, as they
continue relying on the parent for emotional support. The Kindermusik
Our Time program is from 18 months to three years, and focuses
on the child's emotional development when confidence, curiosity,
self-control and language skills are taking shape. In this delightful,
weekly 45 minute class, children explore instruments, movement,
musical story time, dancing, singing and the rhythmic and melodic
patterns in songs and speech.
Creative dancing to different "moods" of music and movement
with hoops and scarves helps develop the child's sense of balance,
timing and spatial awareness. Children delight in sharing the
fun with their parents, and taking home the CD's with all the
class songs and dances, the musical storybooks, the activity books
and their own special instrument like a stir xylophone or child-safe
harmonica.
Growing with Kindermusik is the next program created for 3-4 year
olds. At this age imagination peaks, and creative movement and
musical drama are added to the program, along with more instrument
exploration and making home-made instruments.
Children come on their own for the first half hour, and parents
participate in circle dances and songs the last 15 minutes. Each
week, children take home an activity to reinforce musical concepts
learned in class. Classes are fun, with child-appealing themes
and exciting musical games.
When a child is 4 -5 years old, he is ready for a Kindermusik
for the Young Child class, the program used in the Sam Houston
study. This Kindermusik class is a two-year sequential program
where children learn to read music, play tunes on simple instruments
like a glockenspiel, dulcimers and recorders, and learn about
orchestral instruments and composers-playful, hands-on experiences
that foster the joy of making music with others. Creative movement
and folk dances help develop grace and coordination. During the
second year, children explore music of others cultures.
What is a child ready for after Kindermusik? Learning to play
an instrument like the piano or violin will be much easier, as
will singing or any other form of artistic expression. Kindermusik
fosters a life-long love and enjoyment of music and according
to current research, optimum life-long learning.
Kindermusik classes have been taught in Montana for over 10 years,
and are available in Livingston, Emigrant and Bozeman. Mary Rudy
is on the faculty of Kindermusik International and gives teacher
workshops around the country. She also teaches Kindermusik in
her Livingston and Emigrant studios.