When it comes to music, I would say I am actually musically declined, if that is even a phrase. It just doesn’t appeal to me like it does to others. Not saying I don’t jam out every now and again, but there isn’t a band or song that I obsess over. Not like my friends, who OBSESS over bands like Widespread Panic and Lady Gaga. Widespread and Gaga, in one sentence. Hilarious!
Recently, I found myself driving all the way to work without even turning on the radio. It’s a 45 minute drive. Not good. I want Ava to love music and have been trying to turn on music as much as possible when she is around. She is so peaceful when I play children’s music while driving in the car. Our next step is to purchase her some instruments. She looks like a flute player to me.
It’s funny that I have been thinking a lot about Ava and music lately, and then the below article landed in my inbox. It’s written by two ladies from Primrose Schools who found my blog on Top Baby Blogs and offered for me to use this piece on Blairadise. Enjoy.
Have you voted for me lately? Vote here.
Have you voted for me lately? Vote here.
Musically Inclined
A child’s sensesare stimulated to the fullest when he or she grows up listening to music,singing songs, and dancing. Their early development is positively impactedthrough this exposure to music. As it works to strengthen the neurologicalpathways between brain cells it also provides a unique learning experience. Anearly introduction to music is crucial for jump-starting childhood learningprocesses whether it be in day care,or homeschool, or even before the education process begins.
Incorporatingmusic into early childhood education strengthens cognitive abilities likememory and spatial reasoning skills. More over, research has proven thatcreating an educational environment that engages the five senses, withparticular attention to hearing can positively affect a child’s mind andphysical development. The Nemours Foundation, a nongovernmental organizationdedicated to the health of children, produced a report concluding that childrenwho actively listen to, play, or perform music related activities excel in mathand reading, have higher self-esteem, are more focused, and are more likely toplay and explore with their peers.
Music makes thegreatest educational and neurological impact on children when they activelyexperience it. Active listening can be defined as clapping, singing, tapping,or keeping the beat to music. Further more allowing a child to create his or her own music will proveto be priceless. Passive music participation (listening to music) is alsobeneficial to a child but does not work to engage and develop neurologicalpathways as deeply. If you would like your child to experience the benefits ofmusic on early childhood education and development, begin simply.
1. Play music for your child then ask he or she todistinguish the different instruments present in the music. This game works tosharpen your child’s divided, shifted, focused, and sustained attention. Eachtype of attention is crucial to the healthy development and functioning of yourchild. Divided attention can be defined as performing two or more tasks atonce. Shifted attention is moving back and forth between multiple tasks withoutforgetting the rules and instructions particular to each task. Focusedattention is concentrating on one task. Sustained attention is concentrating onone specific task for a long period of time.
2. Teach your child basic nursery rhymes and songs. The ItsyBitsy Spider, This Little Piggy Went to Market, and The Wheels on The Bus arenursery rhymes that have accompanying hand motions. The synthesis of music andmovement enhances a child’s memory by linking the memorization of words withhand motions. This method also works to strengthen a child’s ability to do morethan one thing at a time.
3. An upset child can be comforted by music. Playing certaintypes of music for a sad or angry child provides stability and repetition asthe child learns to cope with new feelings and emotions.
4. Use any available opportunity to share music with yourchild. Play music when riding in the car or before bedtime! Researchers saythat tones and notes characteristic of jazz and classical musicwork best to stimulate neurological pathways.
The benefits ofplaying music and encouraging participation in making music can be huge. Thedevelopmental, emotional, and educational affects yielded from exposing yourchild to and encouraging your child toward a musical life are invaluable.
Co-written by Emily Patterson and Kathleen Thomas
Emily and Kathleen areCommunications Coordinators for the Atlanta daycare facility, a member of the AdvancED® accredited family of PrimroseSchools (located in 16 states throughout the U.S.) and part of the network of daycare preschools delivering progressive, early childhood, Balanced Learning®curriculum.
Toodaloo!
Blair
