The Benefits of Early Childhood Music Education 

– By Jeffrey Zagaria

http://www.zagariavocalacademy.com

There are many benefits to early childhood music education.  In my twenty five plus years of music and voice teaching experience, I have witnessed many wonderful developments in our students.  Seeing peoples lives improve is the most rewarding part of my vocation.

In this short article, I hope to highlight a few important quotes of the many benefits of early childhood singing and music studies.

Develops Brain and improves SAT Scores and Grades

“Early musical training helps develop brain areas involved in language and reasoning.” (1) Furthermore, “Recent studies show that students who study the arts are more successful on standardized tests such as the SAT. They also achieve higher grades in high school.” (2) – according to Music Education Advocacy Resources.

Improves IQ

“A study by E. Glenn Schellenberg at the University of Toronto at Mississauga, as published in a 2004 issue of Psychological Science, found a small increase in the IQs of six-year-olds who were given weekly voice and piano lessons. Schellenberg provided nine months of piano and voice lessons to a dozen six-year-olds, drama lessons (to see if exposure to arts in general versus just music had an effect) to a second group of six-year-olds, and no lessons to a third group. The children’s IQs were tested before entering the first grade, then again before entering the second grade.” (3) – According to Laura Lewis Brown of PBS.org

Improves Sound Discrimination and Fine Motor Tasks

“In fact, a study led by Ellen Winner, professor of psychology at Boston College, and Gottfried Schlaug, professor of neurology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, found changes in the brain images of children who underwent 15 months of weekly music instruction and practice. The students in the study who received music instruction had improved sound discrimination and fine motor tasks, and brain imaging showed changes to the networks in the brain associated with those abilities, according to the Dana Foundation, a private philanthropic organization that supports brain research.” – (4) According to Laura Lewis Brown PBS.org

Enhances Health and Immunity

“Several studies have found that singing also enhances immunity and well-being. One, conducted at the University of Frankfurt in Germany, found that choral members had higher levels of immunoglobulin A and cortisol — markers of enhanced immunity — after they sang Mozart’s “Requiem” than before. Just listening to the music did not have this effect.” (5) according to SixWise.com

Improves Childs ability to express him/herself

“Using your voice to sing, rather than simply carry out a conversation, offers unique benefits. “When we sing instead of speak, we have intonation, melody line, and crescendo, which gives us a broader vocabulary to express ourselves,” says Suzanne Hanser, chair of the music therapy department at Berklee College of Music. “Because singing is visceral (relating to, or affecting, our bodies), it can’t help but effect change.” – (6) according to SixWise.com

Singing Songs helps With Memory and Teaching Social Skills

“You can even teach social skills, proper behavior, and many other skills through songs. Don’t forget nursery rhymes. Nursery rhymes put to music are fun for preschoolers, and they teach pre-reading skills too.” (7)  – Cheryl Gabbert of Bright Hub Education

The Most Important Benefit?
The above reasons may be enough for a person to enroll their child in a voice or music class.  However, perhaps the most important reason has been overlooked?  In my opinion the number one benefit to voice and music class is that it is fun!

Footnotes:

1. Music Education Advocacy Resources, http://www.childrensmusicworkshop.com/advocacy/12benefits.html .
2. Music Education Advocacy Resources, http://www.childrensmusicworkshop.com/advocacy/12benefits.html .
3. The Benefits of Music Education By Laura Lewis Brown,  http://www.pbs.org/parents/education/music-arts/the-benefits-of-music-education/
4. The Benefits of Music Education By Laura Lewis Brown,  http://www.pbs.org/parents/education/music-arts/the-benefits-of-music-education/
5. http://www.sixwise.com/newsletters/06/06/07/how_singing_improves_your_health_even_if_other_people_shouldnt_hear_you_singing.htm
6. http://www.sixwise.com/newsletters/06/06/07/how_singing_improves_your_health_even_if_other_people_shouldnt_hear_you_singing.htm
7. Cheryl Gabbert, Bright Hub Education, http://www.brighthubeducation.com/teaching-preschool/50308-singing-as-a-tool-for-teaching-preschoolers/                                                                                                                                               
   Name(required)

   Email(required)

   Website

   Comment(required)

   Submit

   Δ