Music training for children

CEBU, Philippines - Do you still remember "Leron Leron Sinta," "Pen Pen de Sarapen," "Mary Had A Little Lamb," and "Jack and Jill"? As little children, we used to sing these while on our way to school or upon returning home together with other kids.

When we were still small, our mothers lulled us to sleep with a song, or calmed us after a bad day, or made us laugh when we were sad or upset, and comforted us after a petty fight with the neighbor's child. We grew up learning the melodies; then we started singing them when we were sad, tired, or happy.

Music never fails to entertain and relax us. It brings comfort to the mind and soul. Regardless of our cultural background, a great melody always puts a smile on a face. Music after all is the universal language that knows no boundaries.

Researches reveal that music provides many benefits, especially for kids. Music taps into the multiple skills of the child, aiding the child's development as he grows up. Music is not just about fun, there is also learning in the process. There is benefit gained each time the child sings or plays a musical instrument, having an opportunity to explore the skill and talent early in life.

For this reason, the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc., in helping advance Early Child Care and Development in the country, encourages parents to help develop their kids' passion and interest in music. Music is beneficial for kids - and to everyone for that matter - in many ways:

Music enhances mathematical skills. Plucking the strings of the guitar or the violin gives the child the opportunity to explore the principles behind every sound. Music develops the abstract reasoning skills required for both science and math. As the kid starts to understand the beat and scales of the piece, he learns how to create fractions and recognize patterns. These principles are wired into the child's brain that eventually helps him understand other areas of math.

Music helps in emotional development.

Learning to play a musical instrument or a new musical piece also teaches the child the virtue of patience.  Learning to play the piano, for instance, is not an overnight process; the child needs to go through it a little at a time. It also helps him reign in his emotions, for it is a known fact that music provides good emotional expression.

Music cultivates social-emotional relationships.

Music sessions train a kid to work with other kids to produce a musical piece. It makes him understand his part in the whole picture. It teaches him a sense of responsibility, too, to feel that he is partly responsible of whatever the outcome of the group effort. And, in the face of difficulty and he thinks of giving up, he considers what the rest of the group might feel if he cows out. Moreover, in a group setting the child learns to communicate and collaborate, thus developing his social skills, too.

Music promotes early literacy. Studies show that music at an early age can help develop a child's ability to learn new things. It also sharpens his memory by stimulating his developing brain.

Music boosts the child's spoken language, reading comprehension and analytical skills.

Kids involved in music sessions tend to have larger vocabularies. Their reading skill is more advanced compared to kids who aren't participating in music sessions. And since they have to analyze musical notes in order to produce the music as written, their analytical skills improve as well.

Music stimulates creativity.

Children are naturally curious and imaginative. They love to explore new things and create scenes in their heads. When tasked to learn to play a new musical instrument, the child's curiosity is sparked; and as he begins to make music, his creative mind is put to work.

Music helps promote physical development.

As the child dances and moves to the musical rhythm, his fine motor skills develop. Playing instruments helps develop his physical coordination skills, especially if it requires the arms, feet, and hands to move. It helps him become more agile, which condition can be very useful as well in other situations that require simultaneous movements.

Music builds self-confidence.

Shy kids are likely to benefit much in joining a music class. Learning to play a musical instrument, for instance, can build his confidence and brighten his outlook - that he can be like, even be better than, the other kids. He also learns to accept constructive criticisms from interacting with peers. And, he gets motivated to do more in order to excel in what he is doing.

Any child can be the future's celebrated pianist or drummer or singer. But only if parents nurture the kid's budding musical talent. Yet even if the child does not end up being the next big star, he will have already enjoyed the many fundamental benefits of his involvement with music.

Reference: www.parents.com