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antigop

(12,778 posts)
Mon Jan 19, 2015, 01:02 PM Jan 2015

Science Just Discovered Something Amazing About What Childhood Piano Lessons Did to You

http://mic.com/articles/108022/science-just-discovered-something-amazing-about-what-childhood-piano-lessons-did-to-you

If your parents forced you to practice your scales by saying it would "build character," they were onto something. The Washington Post reports that one of the largest scientific studies into music's effect on the brain has found something striking: Musical training doesn't just affect your musical ability — it provides tremendous benefits to children's emotional and behavioral maturation.

The study by the University of Vermont College of Medicine found that even those who never made it past nursery rhyme songs and do-re-mi's likely received some major developmental benefits just from playing. The study provides even more evidence as to why providing children with high-quality music education may be one of the most effective ways to ensure their success in life.

If your parents forced you to practice your scales by saying it would "build character," they were onto something. The Washington Post reports that one of the largest scientific studies into music's effect on the brain has found something striking: Musical training doesn't just affect your musical ability — it provides tremendous benefits to children's emotional and behavioral maturation.

The study by the University of Vermont College of Medicine found that even those who never made it past nursery rhyme songs and do-re-mi's likely received some major developmental benefits just from playing. The study provides even more evidence as to why providing children with high-quality music education may be one of the most effective ways to ensure their success in life.

The study found increased thickness in parts of the brain responsible for executive functioning, which includes working memory, attentional control and organizational skills. In short, music actually helped kids become more well-rounded. Not only that, they believe that musical training could serve as a powerful treatment of cognitive disorders like ADHD.


"Three-quarters of high school students "rarely or never" receive extracurricular lessons in the music or the arts."
8 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Science Just Discovered Something Amazing About What Childhood Piano Lessons Did to You (Original Post) antigop Jan 2015 OP
I have been reading for decades how music and art are good for the brain. femmocrat Jan 2015 #1
Because the powers that be don't need people to think... vi5 Jan 2015 #2
Creativity is not generally encouraged. femmocrat Jan 2015 #3
That's why I'm happy with my school district... vi5 Jan 2015 #4
EVERYTHING Jackpine Radical Jan 2015 #7
It's all about shrinking budgets and LWolf Feb 2015 #8
I took many years of lessons on two instruments. Manifestor_of_Light Jan 2015 #5
But, But, But Politicalboi Jan 2015 #6

femmocrat

(28,394 posts)
1. I have been reading for decades how music and art are good for the brain.
Mon Jan 19, 2015, 01:07 PM
Jan 2015

Why it is not required in school is just irresponsible.

femmocrat

(28,394 posts)
3. Creativity is not generally encouraged.
Mon Jan 19, 2015, 01:20 PM
Jan 2015

So true. I was an art teacher for over 20 years. Art is even lower (than music) on the "totem pole" when it comes to resources and respect. It's all about the test, baby! Subjects that don't appear on standardized tests are relegated to the lowest in "importance," right after recess.

Seriously -- I saw more parents come out fighting to save recess than to save art and music.

 

vi5

(13,305 posts)
4. That's why I'm happy with my school district...
Mon Jan 19, 2015, 01:28 PM
Jan 2015

They are definitely more test/common core heavy than I would like academically, but they still put a lot of effort into their arts and music programs and also offer lots of supplemental activites designed to stimulate and encourage creativity. I'm o.k. with the former as long as it's supplemented by the latter. What I have an issue with is school as little more than a test taking training camp at the expense of all the creative endeavors that teach my kids individuality and how to think for themselves.

Jackpine Radical

(45,274 posts)
7. EVERYTHING
Mon Jan 19, 2015, 03:24 PM
Jan 2015

about the Republican-dominated destruction of the American educational system is irresponsible. Criminal is a better word.

LWolf

(46,179 posts)
8. It's all about shrinking budgets and
Tue Feb 10, 2015, 09:20 AM
Feb 2015

increasing the high stakes for high stakes testing. Test scores are all that matter.

I don't know any teachers that wouldn't love to see their schools offer music instruction to all.

Starting at kindergarten.

 

Manifestor_of_Light

(21,046 posts)
5. I took many years of lessons on two instruments.
Mon Jan 19, 2015, 01:37 PM
Jan 2015

Starting at age five on piano, ten on the violin. Also took two years of voice lessons after I was grown, became a piano player and choir director at a Unitarian fellowship.

Nobody had to force me to practice. I have always loved practicing. Yes, I had natural talent, but everyone has to practice to get good. An hour to an hour and a half a day is reasonable. More if you're really serious.

I can also type like a fiend, thanks to the finger training from piano lessons and the fact that when you take piano lessons from an early age, your brain learns to work each hand and finger independently.

I think Bruce Springsteen has started a non-profit to help put music and musical instruments back in the schools. I went to a large suburban high school that had excellent music programs. Orchestra and classical music was basically all I cared about.


 

Politicalboi

(15,189 posts)
6. But, But, But
Mon Jan 19, 2015, 01:56 PM
Jan 2015

FOOTBALL!!!!!

How can they afford both? One brings in money, and thuggery potential. The other, sissy's.

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