Half of California’s school music programs have been canceled in the last eight years. This is removing an important tool for childhood development. Below, we will look at how singing helps brain development and how to pick up the slack where the schools are failing.
The Benefits of Learning to Sing
Learning to sing has huge advantages according to the research. One of the biggest studies on the topic found that musical training boosts both non-cognitive and cognitive abilities by over twice as much as theater, dance, or sports. This is no surprise to progressive educators. For years, well-respected educative analysts have pointed out how choir classes improve academic performance, make children happier, and lead to better attendance.
The deep links between music and math are obvious. The scientific research shows that both math and music stimulate and develop spatial-temporal reasoning. The discipline and rhythm needed to learn and sing music are great for developing the deep-thinking skills needed to excel in technical disciplines. And, children can think more clearly about complex issues thanks to music. Additionally, students in lower-income families seem to experience the biggest gains.
Singing also develops and stimulates the brain areas responsible for processing and working with language. Kids have vast improvements in speech comprehension and working memory after just a few months of practice. These facts are used to argue for musical education in the first years of school. When children learn music, they make more rapid progress with their ability to concentrate, making connections between sound and written signs, and achieving better short-term memory. Learning to read music also improves one’s ability to perform the similar task of learning a second language.
What You Can Do
You may have to take the initiative to arrange singing lessons for your youngster if your school district has cut musical education. The beauty of choir is that you do not need to shell out an excessive amount of money for an instrument, and there are plenty of opportunities for your child to join a group. ChoirPlace lists hundreds of options.
It is not recommended that you teach your son or daughter to sing on your own, even if you are a professional. There are too many potential conflicts that could sour the experience for both of you. Instead, let your kid go down their own path. This will keep them motivated so they can realize all of the benefits of singing.
