During the recent decades, an increasing number of research studies demonstrated the value of musical education on a child’s cognitive development. Some experiments state that young musicians excel in long-term verbal memory, while others indicate that their language and mathematical skills are significantly enhanced. These results should not come across as surprising. After all, children who study music are raised in an intellectual environment that promotes creativity, sensitivity, and abstract reasoning.
Two American researchers, Dr. Frances Rauscher and Dr. Gordon Shaw, conducted multiple research studies that explored the correlation between music and early brain development. The discoveries showed a noticeable improvement in the spatial and temporal reasoning abilities for children with previous musical experience. Subsequently, these cognitive skills would have an essential influence that leads to future mathematical success.
Other studies highlight the positive effects on literacy. Young musicians experiment with numerous rhythms, rhymes and sounds, all of which are helpful for developing communication skills. These children are also exposed to reading song sheets, learning new vocabulary, and comprehending narrative structures. Furthermore, their familiarity with a musical language allows students to understand other verbal languages in a more advanced context. In essence, young musicians become young readers over time.
In 1993, an original research by Shaw initiated the provocative ‘Mozart effect’ phenomenon. His discoveries were reported heavily by the media, which led to the popular (if somewhat misconstrued) belief that listening to classical music will benefit a child’s mental intelligence. While some scientists had discredited the theory since then, the rapid interest in relaxing music led to other positive outcomes. For example, listening to Mozart reduces the stress and medical complications for expecting mothers. Also, many parents are encouraged to provide a wealthy musical education for their children.
Listening to music may not have made children automatically smarter, but learning music could still provide some pleasant results. By enrolling in an acclaimed school of music, parents have enriched the available opportunities for their offspring’s cognitive development. As part of their education, these young musicians learn to count, calculate the time of the notes, memorize complex patterns, and even develop philosophical thoughts by researching the history of famous musicians.
Moreover, children with musical education are often associated with positive personality attributes and characteristics. Attending routine music lessons lead to diligent behaviour. Caring for their own musical instrument teaches them responsibility. Understanding the different contexts behind each song expands their cultural sensitivity. Most important of all, learning music strengthens the children’s confidence and self-esteem necessary for them to succeed in the world.
Music education is readily available at reasonable prices, although there are some mandatory expenses involved. In order to enrich your children’s learning habits, as well as make music easily accessible, experts recommend the purchase of at least one musical instrument within the household. Some parents might feel hesitant to make such pricey investments, but there is a wide selection of options to accommodate different incomes. Buying a used piano, for example, is affordable for most families.
As the jazz pianist Bill Evans once said, "When you play music, you discover a part of yourself that you never knew existed". All children deserve to strengthen their cognitive skills and determine their identity through music. However, it is the caretaker’s responsibility to give them this valuable life opportunity. Do not hesitate anymore; enrol them in a music school today
"A powerful earthquake struck western Indonesia on Wednesday, triggering landslides and trapping thousands under collapsed buildings,including two hospitals..." news.yahoo.com
"Hundreds of people have been killed and thousands made homeless after successive earthquakes of 7.6 and 6.6 magnitudes struck near the coastal city of Padang within 48 days of each other this week." www.planusa.org
This was about two weeks ago. Now I ask you, as these thousands of people have been made homeless by actions they have no control over and we have been made rich through events we have no control over, shouldn't we help them? Who are we to hog the riches of the world? What makes us so special? Are we so selfish that we cannot donate money to help these of our own kind? Are we so ignorant that we believe our money is better spent at the movie theaters? Or the fancy restaurants? How about our flat screens and speakers? According to us, these are worth more than that of a child's life...That's sick. So pathetically sick... We stand by as thousands begin to starve and suffer...we ignore them. We play by the rules of "if I can't see it, it doesn't exist". It's disgusting. Please, spare at least some of your "Oh so mighty entertainment" for a week and help these people who are so unfortunately troubled by things they have no control over. You have control over your money, use it the way it should be used, please.
Stand Up. Here are some links for relief programs helping out with the earthquakes. www.planusa.org
"A powerful earthquake struck western Indonesia on Wednesday, triggering landslides and trapping thousands under collapsed buildings,including two hospitals..." news.yahoo.com
"Hundreds of people have been killed and thousands made homeless after successive earthquakes of 7.6 and 6.6 magnitudes struck near the coastal city of Padang within 48 days of each other this week." www.planusa.org
This was about two weeks ago. Now I ask you, as these thousands of people have been made homeless by actions they have no control over and we have been made rich through events we have no control over, shouldn't we help them? Who are we to hog the riches of the world? What makes us so special? Are we so selfish that we cannot donate money to help these of our own kind? Are we so ignorant that we believe our money is better spent at the movie theaters? Or the fancy restaurants? How about our flat screens and speakers? According to us, these are worth more than that of a child's life...That's sick. So pathetically sick... We stand by as thousands begin to starve and suffer...we ignore them. We play by the rules of "if I can't see it, it doesn't exist". It's disgusting. Please, spare at least some of your "Oh so mighty entertainment" for a week and help these people who are so unfortunately troubled by things they have no control over. You have control over your money, use it the way it should be used, please.
Stand Up. Here are some links for relief programs helping out with the earthquakes. www.planusa.org
Hey guys, growing up all I ever wanted was to help people. I was so interested in people and medicine that I just knew I was going to be a doctor! I did all the research for several years during high school. After developing some problems I wondered how bad med school would be on me. I started to question what I want out of life.
At the start of the semester I had decided on Nursing. Then, if I was confident and wanted I could still go to med school. However, I have questioned this for many reasons. More than anything I want to help people. All types of people, mostly children/teens, but also adults... I just want to help, period.
So, I did more research (I put in a lot of research for anything I do!) and this time I looked at Sociology, Psychology, and Social Work. Well, I love psychology and know a lot about it. I am very involved in that field as well. I love my sociology class, but it isn't as specific as I would like it to be.
So, I have decided that I am going to major in Social Work and minor in Sociology because there are a ton of things I can do with those degrees. I want to do counseling, help children, mental health, and keep kids on track. I feel VERY strongly towards children being on the right path at a young age because those children are America's adults. I want to start helping as young as possible, as soon as possible, and make sure children are in the right environment, etc...
Also, I want to specifically work with GLBT youth. That is another emphasis I wish to place on my major. I am doing lots of research and I think living as a GLBT individual helps put me in the persective. I want to help people like myself and I feel I can do a lot of good in the world.
If I had to pick the strongest passion or will within myself...it would absolutely be my need to help people. I love it and I wouldn't trade that for the world. I think it's an excellent moral to have. And I have used that for basis of changing my major.
Remember, I just started college! Like 6 weeks ago and I am already changing my major! However, I am fairly certain that this is what I want to do with my life.
Questions: What do you want in YOUR life? Do you want to go to college? If so, what do you think your major will be? What is YOUR strongest passion?
Leave me some comments and let me know what you think about what I am doing, or what you are doing, and YOUR answers to the above questions! Have a great day and remember to pursue all that makes you happy in life! : )
"I know that sports is a way to reach our youth," said Jorge Roque of the YMCA Street Violence Intervention Program. "We're in a war zone between two major gangs, and it's beautiful to see that there's children and families out here."
Roque was referring to the incredible success of Project Play, a weekly event held in the Little Village neighborhood of Chicago. Every Tuesday night in the summer, Project Play brings a diverse community of children, young adults, and families together to play sports and games. They offer soccer and basketball, set up targets for archery, bring hula-hoops and jump ropes, host games of dodge ball and four-square, and let the kids go wild decorating the space with sidewalk chalk drawings.
Project Play is just one of many community endeavors hosted by Beyond the Ball, a neighborhood non-profit organization that "equips urban youth to be community leaders through athletics, service, and cross-cultural relationships."
I recently had the chance to check out Project Play, where I spoke with a number of really cool people about their involvement in the program. What struck me the most was the dedication and passion displayed by everyone in attendance. The lines between staff, volunteers, and participants was fuzzy, at best. Then again, I wasn't surprised by the lack of rigidly defined roles and
titles; the whole project is designed to break down barriers and bring
people together. Regardless of whether individuals identified as volunteers, parents, soccer players or coaches, everyone was there to have a good time and reclaim the community space.
Dig it? Beyond the Ball is always looking for people who want to help this community grow. Volunteers, cash to help run the program, and sports equipment are three ways you can give back.
You can also use your little pointer finger to raise money for Beyond the Ball with Just 1 Click. 100,000 taps on the mouse will give $500 to help programs like Project Play keep rockin' out on Tuesday nights. Click now.
