There is much debate around whether someone is born musical or even talented.
Personally I am a firm believer that we are all born musical - it is just a case of whether we get to develop our musicality or whether it is left untouched. When or what age a child should start to learn a musical instrument? Most schools stipulate at least Year 3, however many studies have shown that children who are involved in music making before the age of 8 yrs average better Literacy and Mathematical scores. So why aren't schools giving children the opportunity to have earlier musical training? What age (if any) is a good age to start your child on a musical journey? Is music learning only for the "talented" few or is that a misconception?
My dad recently bought me "The Music Miracle" by Liisa Henriksson-Macaulay, book for my birthday. There was much hype around it months ago and he thought I would enjoy reading it. I sat in the bath last night and started to read and....the fact is the book actually tells me nothing I didn't already know! Musical learning is the best thing by far to teach your child. It is well known that participating in music (and I don't mean singing along to the radio) uses both the right and left hemisphere of the brain connecting neural pathways vital to brain growth and development. The left hand side of the brain is what we know as the logical - mathematical/problem solving part and the right side the holistic – emotional/artistic/imaginative side. There are many people who believe they are one way or the other and there are some studies that show people have more active brain patterns on one side of the brain.
However, I don't believe we are born one way or the other it is down to whether we stimulate and activate these parts of the brain. The fascinating thing about learning music is that it benefits the entire brain both left and right but also building a connecting bridge between the two. Liisa explains that learning music (particularly before the age of 8yrs) creates larger neural networks in the neocortex which specialises our thinking, planning, attention, emotional intelligence, language and mathematics and also the processing of auditory, visual and kinaesthetic information. It also boosts the hippocampus (memory and spatial awareness) and builds better connections with the brainstem that connects to the spine. This leads to a better functioning brain, higher intelligence, faster and more accurate processing of long and short term memory.
Studies have shown babies and toddlers who participate in musical learning show more developed thinking ability, brain development and emotional well-being than their peers who do not. Non-educational music games do not promote a child’s intellectual development – so sing-along baby groups and just simply listening to music will not provide this much needed brain boost Liisa is talking about. Like sports are for physical fitness - music is for brain fitness.
Perhaps this is why I love the Kodály approach so much. In my classes we are not simply singing or “entertaining” our children (as one recent mum put it) they are unconsciously learning musical concepts – the ones that give your child Liisa’s brain boost!
Last week we were singing a song called “Rain is falling down”. There are many musical concepts which can be extracted from this song. The first is showing the children a visual representation of the melody – the songs starts high and descends (high to low) and we show this starting by wiggling our fingers up high and descending with the pitch (pretending to be the rain). We can also use this song to introduce and reinforce the crotchet rest – we first add in the spoken word “splash” on the crotchet rest. This is where we had fun this week by making an actual splash in a shallow tray of water. Although it was “entertaining” there is actual purpose behind the actions and the children are being taught these concepts without them even knowing it. Eventually the “splash” is said in our “thinking” voice (that’s the silent one in our heads) showing that even though there are no words or singing there is still a pulse.
Schools could quite easily be teaching musical concepts from the Early Years, through singing. Young children would find learning an instrument technically difficult but that doesn’t mean they have to miss out. The fact that most schools choose not to teach music astounds me when there are so many benefits. Liisa explains in the “Music Miracle” that only 40 minutes per week would see children reap all the benefits of a whole brain workout. So until schools really take music on board as being an intrinsic part of the curriculum think carefully about what you will teach your child. Swimming and dancing are good for physical exercise (and also running around outdoors) remember educational music learning is the only one the gives your child a whole brain workout!
Want to read more?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Music-Miracle-Scientific-Unlocking-Potential-ebook/dp/B00GZUDK1K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1424117987&sr=8-1&keywords=the+music+miracle+book
Introducing your child to music learning through singing and fun games is a great way to ensure they are getting a brain boost! Get in touch if you would like more information and advice on how you can do this.
Mel x
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