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Enriching Children Through Music. Piano & Guitar Institute

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January 23, 2017

Enriching Children through Music

 

One of our greatest goals as parents is helping our children achieve and be successful in life.  We try to open as many doors for them as possible and try to give them every advantage.  Many of us spend a great deal of time wondering what we can do to expand our children’s minds and their lives.  Research has shown repeatedly for many years that one incredible opportunity we can offer to our children is music instruction.

 

My name is Dirk Kraus, my wife Jennifer and I started Piano & Guitar Institute in 2001 to provide music instruction to students of all ages in the Northern Colorado area.  With nearly 50 years combined teaching experience, we know how to make learning fun, and turn the music into a lifelong passion.

 

“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.”  -Plato

 

According to The Children’s Music Workshop, recent studies have shown that early musical training physically develops the left side of the brain, which is involved with processing language.  This training can actually impact the wiring of the brain.  They also discuss that there is a causal link between music and spatial intelligence. 

 

Spatial intelligence enables children to solve mathematic problems and determine how to efficiently use space.  Studies have shown that students who participate in the arts are more successful on tests such as the SAT and perform better in school.  When students study music, they learn that practice is required and diligence is necessary to achieve success.  They learn the value of hard work to achieve excellence.  Performing also encourages children to take risks and conquer their fear.  It teaches children how to handle anxiety in order to reach their potential. 

 

Many wonder if there are hidden benefits to music lessons and the American Psychological Association found that- yes, there are.  Two University of Toronto psychologists found that music lessons may provide intellectual benefits to children and increase their sensitivity to emotion in speech.  Schellenberg evaluated six year olds’ IQ levels before and after one year of music lessons and discovered that their IQ increased an additional 2.5 points over their non-musical peers, even if their peers were involved in other art classes.  Focused attention, memorization, and concentration associated with music lessons are suggested to be the cause of the increase. 

 

Do you really need to hear about another study that states music helps your child grow in multiple ways?  I think we can all agree that a musical education is extremely beneficial.  Now the questions arise:  What instrument should my child play?  Where should we go for lessons?  What if my child doesn’t like to practice?  At what age should my child start?  As a music educator for over 30 years, and Director of Piano & Guitar Institute, I will attempt to address these questions and more over the course of time.

 

The first of all these questions I will address in this article is how old must my child be to start an instrument.  Some answers are rather obvious; my 3-year-old is not starting the tuba anytime soon!  However, other answers might surprise you.  By age three children are usually ready for structured lessons.  I have heard some interesting benchmarks as to when children should start lessons, however, reading music is no different than recognizing shapes.  Most 3 year old’s can do this.  Also, be sure you know what to expect from these lessons.  Many times it is the opportunity for your child to be in a structured environment and exposed to music.  Other times you will see young stars being discovered!

 

A proper lesson for students of this age will not have the young children sitting at their instrument for a thirty-minute lesson.  Many activities such as games, workbook pages (coloring pages), and other manipulatives will be used to keep the student’s attention and focus on the task at hand.

 

One final factor to consider is whether or not the font of the music is appropriate for the student.  These younger students are not looking at a Beethoven sonata, but at notes that are much more the right size for their brains to comprehend.  If you want your young child to have a successful and happy experience with lessons, these are some of the things you should consider.

 

Music has been proven repeatedly to positively impact children and their development.  As you are investigating ways to enhance your child’s brain development, reading and math skills, work ethic, and self-confidence, please contact Piano & Guitar Institute www.PianoandGuitarInstitute.com for more information about our programs and how we can help your child grow.  Give your child the gift of music.  

“Without music, life would be a mistake.”  -Friedrich Nietzsche