So I’m all fired up from leading the Magic of Music training in Dover, NH last week with 22 wonderful educators. We had a blast coming up with all kinds of ways to transform these teachers' classrooms and yoga/movement classes—really, fully engage kids—with rhythm and music. Everyone got tons of inspiration and ideas they’ll use right away.
I did a bunch of research for the training, and I thought I knew all about the amazing effects of music on the brain—but new, incredible studies are happening all the time, and they’re fascinating! When we listen to music, we’re using multiple parts of the brain: regions involved in movement, attention, planning and memory—parts that don't have to do with auditory processing itself. Meaning: your kids’ brains are way more lit up and focused when they’re listening to music than when you’re just talking. So…next time you’re trying to get your kids attention, at home or in the classroom—try singing your instructions! Or, start a beat by clapping, and make up a “rap” or rhyme with what you want to get across. They’ll listen. I’m serious—it works!
Now if you enroll your child in music classes or lessons, it gets even better. Kids with even a short time of musical training have been found to be more sensitive to sound than those with no training. They’re more adept at discerning social cues, making them significantly better listeners. And, becoming focused and discriminating listeners helps kids become better learners. (AND…this effect lasts into adulthood! So that year of piano you took as a kid wasn’t a waste of time after all!)
(I also learned the majority of Nobel Prize winners are trained musicians…just sayin.)
I’m happy to help out here, by giving you and your kids some great live music to listen (and move!) to. If you’re in the Pennsylvania/New Jersey area, please come on down to Telebear’s Summer Jam, happening August 11-14—my trio plays a Rockin’ Yoga concert on Thursday the 11th!