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MUSIC LESSONS HELP STUDENTS MORE THAN COMPUTER TRAINING
Research shows piano students are better equipped to comprehend mathematical and scientific concepts. Preschoolers were divided into three groups: One group received private piano keyboard lessons and singing lessons. A second group received private computer lessons. The third group received no training. Those children who received piano/keyboard training performed 34% higher on tests measuring spatial-temporal ability than the others - even those who received computer training. "Spatial-temporal" is basically proportional reasoning - ratios, fractions, proportions and thinking in space and time. This concept has long been considered a major obstacle in the teaching of elementary math and science.
Reference: Neurological Research February 28, 1997 |
MUSIC TRAINING HELPS UNDERACHIEVERS
Researchers find arts training not only raises scholastic performance, but also improves
student behavior and attitude.
In Rhode Island, researchers studied eight public school first grade classes. Half of the
classes became "test arts" groups, receiving ongoing music and visual arts training. In
kindergarten, this group had lagged behind in scholastic performance. After seven
months, the students were given a standardized test. The "test arts" group had caught up
to their fellow students in reading and surpassed their classmates in math by 22%. In the
second year of the project, the arts students widened this margin even further.
Students were also evaluated on attitude and behavior. Classroom teachers noted
improvement in these areas also.
Reference: Nature May 23, 1996 |
Music can help your child learn to speak
Some parents feel that learning music can help with their children's speech development. Research suggests they may be right.
" Putting words to music breaks them down into syllables, emphasises key consonants and slows down the sounds of speech", says Sally Goddard Blythe, Director of the Institute for Neuro-Physiological Psychology, Chester. |
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