According to Psychology Today, more studies than ever now are linking musical training with improved brain function and higher academic achievement. Practicing a musical instrument (including training in singing) regularly engages all four hemispheres of your brain at chemical, electrical and architectural levels, optimizing brain power.
Musical training also reduces stress, improves focus, and could be an antidote for the pressure that children feel to do well on standardized testing as part of No Child Left Behind and the Common Core Standards.
Organized music lessons appear to benefit children’s IQ and academic performance–and the longer the instruction continues, the larger the effect, according to a study published in the May issue of the Journal of Educational Psychology (Vol. 98, No. 2).
Here’s 10 ways music instruction can benefit your student (from Psychology Today):
1. Improves verbal memory and childhood literacy
2. Babies who have music lessons smile more and communicate better
3. Benefits brain plasticity throughout a lifespan
4. Trained musicians have superior multi-sensory processing skills
5. Improves white matter connectivity
6. Increases blood flow in the brain
7. Improves executive function
8. Thickens gray matter of the cortex
9. Reduces academic achievement gaps
10. Orchestrates coordinated neuroplasticity in the aging brain
Singing in particular seems to aid in cognitive function and an overall sense of well being and self esteem, even in more mature brains!
With all the activities available to young people, and with such limited time (and budget!), wouldn’t it make sense to invest in the activities that propel them towards better grades, better minds? And how young is too young?
Contact Jay Lemon today, and find out how your child can find his or her TRUE VOICE!