Music Lessons May Not Turn Your Child Into the Next Mozart, But How About A Rocket Scientist?

Parents, Don't Give Up Hope

While piano and singing lessons may not exactly be turning your child into the next Mozart or Barbra Streisand, they could very well be helping your child develop the math, science, and literacy skills needed to excel in our technology-driven society.

Participation in musical activities can greatly enhance a child's spatial intelligence - the intelligence required to perform high-level mathematics and science as well as music - according to researchers at the University of California at Irvine.

"We've known for quite some time that musical activities are vital to the educational, emotional, and physical development of children," says John D. Kemp, CEO of VSA arts.

"Children naturally learn through interactive experiences," said Mr. Kemp. "Music provides children with a highly motivating way to develop language skills, imagination, creativity, and an understanding of their culture. This new research shows that musical activity may be critical to the development of math and science skills."

To help parents take advantage of the benefits of music for their preschool children, VSA arts recommends several fun, simple, and educational activities that can be done at home. The following activities are designed to improve both the mental and physical preparedness of preschoolers and kindergartners with and without disabilities.

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Listening To Music

Listening to music is a way of developing an awareness and discrimination of sound, auditory memory, sequencing ability, and aesthetic sensitivity. At home and in your car, listen to a variety of taped music. Include your child's favorite songs along with selections from classical and pop music.

Researchers at the University of California at Irvine found that listening to Mozart showed great promise in improving a child's spatial intelligence and ability to draw, design, visualize, and create. Playing selections by Mozart before and as background music when your child is working on a drawing or a simple puzzle may contribute to the spatial learning of your child.

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Singing

Start with an old favorite like "Old MacDonald Had A Farm." First, incorporate the sounds that farm animals make. Then, teach your child the words by first singing a line and then encouraging your child to imitate you.

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Rhythmically Responding To Music

Have your child select his or her favorite song. Listen to your child sing it, and then demonstrate how the song can be enriched by accenting the rhythm through clapping. Other household items can be used, including wooden sticks, coffee cans, spoons, and pots and pans.

Your child can also create and sing his or her own "rap" song or other composition. Allow your child to make up lyrics. Then using the same household items, put the words to music.

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Moving To Music

Play a recording of a march or sing one with your child. March around the house, first as a pair and later, letting your child take the lead. Simple instruments, like a toy drum or a kazoo, can be added to accompany the march music. Later, have your child improvise by moving like an elephant and prancing like a pony.

Next, play music with different tempos. Demonstrate how you can sway and move your arms to slow music. Once your child is comfortable moving to a slow tempo, play fast music and demonstrate how to hop, jump, and skip to music.

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