Music and My Boy
Brendan started to learn music when he was 3 years old. At that young age, I was merely accustoming him to the basic music theory. Now, he is progressing to the 4th grade in piano. My first idea of letting him learn music was “It will be nice to have a musician at home and enjoy the melodious music in our lives.” I wanted to let him learn a skill that mummy never has the chance to pick up. We have also heard of music having the soothing effect on the listeners and players. Expels diseases, softens every pain, rage of poison, and the plague.
“Music exalts each joy, allays each grief, Expels diseases, softens every pain, Subdues the rage of poison, and the plague.” by John Armstrong.
Lately, I have read in several reports that music can make a kid smarter and also perform well in mathematics.
Extracted from http://childparenting.about.com by Kimberly L.Keith:
“When learning a song, a musical instrument, or a dance step, your child experiences the unique integration of body and mind that music provides. Sensory integration is a crucial factor in children’s learning readiness for school subjects such as reading, writing, and math. Music improves spatial-temporal reasoning, a neurological process needed to understand mathematics. The best way to enhance your child’s learning with music is to encourage listening to and learning music throughout the child’s developmental years. Do it in a variety of ways that are enjoyable and fun, then let your child’s own interest and aptitudes guide your choices of lessons and activities.”
I still do not understand the link between music and mathematics and how it could make a child smarter and not sure whether this explains why Brendan is good in his mathematics. Since learning music seems to bring about much benefits, Darren is also ready to attend his first piano lesson soon:) since he has been pestering me since a year ago.
It is most important that the children’s interests are there. Sometimes, when I look at Brendan playing on the piano, I feel happy that I have made the right choice for him to learn music. My boy knows things that his parents don’t. Perhaps, they could be my music teacher one day. It will be great for parents and kids to bond through music *Grin*
