It’s not a coincidence that some of the most brilliant minds in history were (and are!) also musicians. That list includes famous names like Leonardo da Vinci, Sir Isaac Newton, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Edison, Bill Gates, Albert Einstein, Galileo, and Steven Spielberg. Research study after research study continues to show that music education or to be more precise – actively engaging in musical activities
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4 Ways Music Helps Your Brain Read More »
We love it when science backs up again and again what music teachers and parents have known for a long time – music and music classes have significant and far-reaching benefits that extend beyond singing, moving, and playing instruments and into areas of brain development, academic advantage, language development, literacy, and more. In particular, new research is highlighting the powerful connection between music and
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Science Says: Music Makes You a Better Reader Read More »
In a Kindermusik Family Time class, we start each class by singing: “We’re a musical family so clap along and sing with me…” We ARE a musical family and we think every family should be a musical family, too! We believe that because of the way that music impacts children in profound ways, for now and for life, but it’s also because music can be a
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10 Reasons Why Music Belongs in Every Child’s Home Read More »
Researchers continue to find more and more connections between music training and cognitive function. In a recent study, scientists determined that music training in the early years prevented the decline of speech listening comprehension, or speech recognition, in the later years of life. What may seem like a hearing problem in older adults may actually be a decline in the brain’s ability to parse,
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Helmets and Music Training Both Protect Kids’ Brains Read More »
“To researchers’ awe, music and movement experiences help children better self-regulate behavior and enjoy a safe, creative outlet for self-expression. Studies point to a specific cluster of social-emotional skills—called self-regulation skills—as particularly important for a variety of school successes.” (Dr. Debby Pool, Vice President at Kindermusik International) According to a new study from Oregon State University co-authored by child development expert Megan McClelland, children with
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New Research: Teaching self-regulation increases school readiness Read More »
When you read an article title like “Why Math Might Be the Secret to School Success,” you stop and pay attention. “We think math might be sort of a lever to improve outcomes for kids longer term,” lead researcher Pamela Morris said. Now that’s a powerful statement. But here’s a more sobering statement when one considers how closely connected math skills and academic performance
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When it comes to math, music counts! Read More »
With increasingly more sophisticated technological advances, researchers are learning more and more about the powerful effects of music on the brain and the cognitive advantages of learning to play an instrument. A recent study at the University of Texas at Arlington gave researchers a unique glimpse into the brains of professional musicians, skilled musicians who had been playing an instrument for a number of
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Want a better memory? Learn to play an instrument. Read More »
At the beginning of January, we often reflect on the passing of another year. For parents, that might mean celebrating all of those “firsts” that happened last year like a baby’s first steps, a little one’s first time sleeping through the night, or maybe that first tooth (or first lost tooth!). In the life of a young child, so many firsts happen in one year!
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Favorite Minds on Music Blog Posts from 2014 Read More »
There’s a lot of buzz about the significant findings of some exciting research from the University of Vermont College of Medicine which has identified a direct link between “…playing a musical instrument and brain development.” How music and the brain are linked Analyzing brain scans, identifying cortical indicators, and factoring in the entirety of a child’s familial and social environment were key to uncovering
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New Research Alert: Playing instruments boosts kids’ brainpower! Read More »
How our brains regulate and manage cognitive processes is referred to as executive function. As with most cognitive skills, executive function is a skill that grows and develops in children as they grow and develop. According to this recent and fascinating article in Science Daily, the executive functions that are crucial for a child to develop include the ability to: avoid distractions focus attention
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New Research: Teaching Self-Control Leads to Academic Improvements Read More »
