The Benefits of Music for Young Children
The Benefits of Music for Young Children
Research affirms the many benefits of music that extend beyond the craftsmanship and art of music itself. Music helps develop self- esteem, body awareness, balance, compassion and respect, sharing skills, gross motor control, fine motor control, problem solving, work ethics and the ability to think creatively. These are the same skills that parents expect schools and educators to develop with their children in the classroom.
Often times music education is viewed as secondary or even as an expendable program. When there are budget cuts, the music program is always the first to go. Music is often viewed as not as important as the three Rs: reading, writing and arithmetic. The reality is a thoughtfully planned music curriculum can actually support and advance those three Rs, facilitating learning other subjects and enhancing many skills beyond Do, Re, Mi. Music education can be a powerful tool in aiding the development of young minds and creating students who are lifelong learners.
Music promotes brain development and stimulates the left side of the brain, which processes language. Music helps children with the spoken language, pronunciation, vocabulary and the ability to follow oral instructions. Even the learning of a second language can be enhanced through music.
Music helps children develop spatial intelligence and awareness, the ability to be aware of oneself in space. It is an organized knowledge of objects in relation to oneself in that given space. Interactive presentations that encourage children’s participation help develop the ability to respond to the world in real time.
Music promotes bilateral coordination, when the left and right side of the brain communicate to coordinate the use of both sides of the body together.
Music aids in the development of cognitive skills or the core skills the brain uses to think, learn, read, remember, reason and concentrate.
Music can help in the development of self-regulation, or the ability to manage one’s emotional state and physical needs.
These are all attainable qualities and goals that the children can acquire when a proper music curriculum is instituted. For these reasons, it is essential to share, encourage and promote the importance of music education in our homes and schools.
To learn more about the benefits of music and Frank’s hand-crafted approach to early childhood music education, visit www.frankleto.com or purchase Frank Leto’s Method to Music book, a music curriculum and guide to introduce the mechanics of music to young children.
