"Without music, life would be a mistake," said Nietzsche.
And who would want to make a mistake with their children's development, right? If you've ever wondered how the soothing sound of piano keys or the rhythmic beat of a drum can help your child excel in school, you're in the right place!
I'm Misha Shayter, a music tutor with 18 years of experience and a repertoire of knowledge wider than the gap between do and ti. Let's embark on this symphony of discovery together.
Cue the drum roll! Here are seven reasons why incorporating music in your child's routine can boost their academic performance and more!
1. Better Cognitive Skills: Bach's brain boggler
Let's start by transporting ourselves to the 18th century. Picture young Johann Sebastian Bach, who was a master at intricate melodies and harmonies. Even as a child, he displayed remarkable cognitive skills, multitasking, and memory. Numerous studies indicate that learning music like Bach did, can improve children's cognitive skills. By decoding sheet music into beautiful sounds, your kiddo could be flexing their cognitive muscles like the great Bach himself!
2. Better Mathematics Performance: Pythagoras and the music of spheres
Rewind further to ancient Greece, where Pythagoras discovered that harmonious musical notes could be translated into mathematical equations. Interestingly, music and maths share a common language - patterns. When kids learn music, they unknowingly engage with mathematical concepts such as fractions and ratios. Your little one might not be calculating cosmic harmonies like Pythagoras, but they'll certainly get a head start in understanding numbers.
3. Improved Memory: The Mozart Memory Marvel
Ah, Mozart, a prodigy who composed from the tender age of five. You may be familiar with the term "Mozart effect," which suggests listening to Mozart could enhance one's intelligence. While there's no magical symphony to turn your child into a genius, learning to play a Mozart piece can significantly boost memory. The act of practising and remembering musical notes and rhythms helps to build new neural pathways, strengthening memory recall.
4. Enhanced Concentration: Sherlock Holmes and his trusty violin
Remember our favourite detective Sherlock Holmes and his violin? Sir Arthur Conan Doyle strategically had Sherlock play the violin to aid his thinking and concentration. Like Sherlock, your child can also benefit from the enhanced concentration that comes with learning to play a musical instrument. It requires focus to coordinate their hands, read music, and keep rhythm, making them master detectives of their own learning journey.
5. Improved Reading and Comprehension Skills: Ludwig van Beethoven, a Tale of Resilience
In the world of music, Beethoven stands as a testament to resilience. Despite his hearing loss, he composed some of the world's most celebrated music pieces. He read and understood music so well, he could compose without hearing the notes. Learning music can similarly help your child improve their reading and comprehension skills. Reading sheet music involves recognising symbols and understanding their meaning in terms of pitch and rhythm - a skill transferable to academic reading.
6. Better Physical Coordination: Jimi Hendrix and the Magic Fingers
The iconic Jimi Hendrix stunned audiences with his extraordinary guitar skills. His hands moved like magic across the guitar frets, showcasing superb physical coordination. Like Hendrix, your child can improve their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination by learning a musical instrument, whether it's plucking a guitar string or hitting the correct piano key.
7. Increased Emotional Intelligence: Billie Holiday’s soulful expression
The soulful Billie Holiday used music as an outlet for her emotions, touching people's hearts worldwide. Music can serve as an emotional outlet for your children too, helping them express themselves and understand others' emotions better. Learning music can also teach them empathy and improve their social skills, turning them into well-rounded individuals.
Remember, it's not about producing a Beethoven or a Beyoncé. It's about engaging with music and reaping its benefits. It's never too early or too late to start! With my "Understand the Music" series, even a complete beginner can embark on this exciting musical journey.
The final note (pun totally intended):
I'd love to hear from you!
Which of these benefits resonated the most with you?
Do you have any music-influenced academic success stories to share?
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