Music for Young Minds

Cognitive/Intellectual Benefits

“Studies have shown that musicians achieve a higher GPA than non-musicians in the same school do.”

When a musician plays music, they use 90% of the brain.

Regular music instruction in the early to middle grades may have a positive transfer effect to the development of language skills.

Students with course work or experience in music performance scored 51 points higher on the verbal portion of the SAT and 44 points higher on the math portion, than students with no course work or experience in the arts.

Singing, chanting and rhythmic play can increase your child's vocabulary.

90% of CEO's and congressmen interviewed said that playing a musical instrument as a child helped them develop “character and leadership skills”.

New York schools show that 90% of their students who participate in music go on to college.

In the 1997 Gallup Survey, 69% of people believe that music participation corresponds to better grades and scores

In a recent study, 66% of music majors who apply to medical school are accepted, and only 44% of biochemistry majors are accepted.

Findings indicate that music study uniquely enhances higher brain functions required for reading, mathematics, chess, science, and engineering.

Social Benefits

“Through music, children can enjoy a sense of community, that can carry on through life!”

Students involved in quality choral programs develop communication skills, self-confidence, self-discipline, teamwork, self-expression, and appreciation of cultural diversity.

Music creates security in one's self. If your child can sing in front of other people, you're talking about a pretty secure little individual.

Music enhances creativity.

Emotional/Spiritual Benefits

“Music washes away from the soul, the dust of everyday life.” –B. Auerbach

Music relaxes and calms the spirit.

Children can be calmed down by listening to music each night before they sleep.

Music has been shown to decrease heart rate, breathing, and lower stress hormones.

Stress has been proven to obstruct learning, and by listening to 10 minutes of classical music children can clear their minds and prepare for productive learning and studying.

Mozart helps children with ADD and ADHD improve and control their mood.

Physical Benefits

“If your child cannot keep the beat, they are less likely to be successful on sports teams, dance teams, or any other activity that requires coordination.”

Music requires coordination of the fingers, hands, arms, lips, cheeks, and facial muscles, in addition to body and mind responses to sound.

Music helps motor development and coordination.

Music helps pattern the movement of the body.

Research shows that music can relieve stress, lower blood pressure, and help relieve pain.

Music programs have been pulled out of many of our schools in this country as unnecessary spending of our tax dollars, and replaced by highly competitive sports. America spends 29 times more dollars than any other nation on education, yet ranks 14 th out of 17 countries in academic excellence.

The answer seems obvious to me!