Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Read: Hand-Clapping Songs Improve Motor and Cognitive Skills A university in Israel conducted studies of hand-clapping songs which revealed a link between those activities and cognitive skills development in children, young adults, and university students. Practicing motor skills while singing and staying on beat helps develop auditory processing, visual processing, and attention. Children—particularly those in first through third grade—who participated had neater handwriting, better writing skills, and made fewer spelling errors, too! One researcher stated, "There's no doubt such activities train the brain and influence development in other areas." Even adults benefit by becoming more focused and less stressed. Who knew the songs weren't just for fun? Read Research Confirms Hand-Clapping Songs Improve Cognitive Skills
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Friday, July 1, 2011
Friday, February 25, 2011
NPR talks about Musicians
Listen: Say What? Musicians Hear Better
Musicians have years of training in listening to sounds. For example, their brains are trained to hear the sound of their own instruments even though other instruments may be playing at the same time. This training reshapes the brain and builds mental muscle in auditory processing and attention skills. Because these are the very skills that are often weak in children who struggle with language and reading, researchers believe that musical training may offer a real solution. Listen to NPR's Say What? (3:56)
And here's more good news:
It may not be good news for kids who don't want to experience a forced march to piano lessons, but it is good news for those who like to believe that skill in the arts can be acquired and does not entirely have to be foisted upon you by an accident of birth.
British researchers have found that areas of the brain related to auditory and motor skills grew in six-year-olds who studied music for 15 months, and not in those who didn't.
It's no secret that school arts programs are eternally imperiled, but it will be interesting to see what it contributes to that debate to have better evidence that, particularly for kids who can't afford private lessons, a lack of exposure to music in school may literally make for a smaller mind.
Musicians have years of training in listening to sounds. For example, their brains are trained to hear the sound of their own instruments even though other instruments may be playing at the same time. This training reshapes the brain and builds mental muscle in auditory processing and attention skills. Because these are the very skills that are often weak in children who struggle with language and reading, researchers believe that musical training may offer a real solution. Listen to NPR's Say What? (3:56)
And here's more good news:
It may not be good news for kids who don't want to experience a forced march to piano lessons, but it is good news for those who like to believe that skill in the arts can be acquired and does not entirely have to be foisted upon you by an accident of birth.
British researchers have found that areas of the brain related to auditory and motor skills grew in six-year-olds who studied music for 15 months, and not in those who didn't.
It's no secret that school arts programs are eternally imperiled, but it will be interesting to see what it contributes to that debate to have better evidence that, particularly for kids who can't afford private lessons, a lack of exposure to music in school may literally make for a smaller mind.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Private Piano Teachers? We Need You!
As part of a new corporate program, private piano teachers are invited to come see our materials and learn the ins and outs of Let's Play Music (Did you know we call the I chord Red, the IV is Blue and the V is Yellow?).
If you are a LPM student and have a piano teacher in mind for after graduation, have her come get certified to take on LPM grads. She'll know exactly where you're coming from, and be piqued to help you soar.
If you ARE a piano teacher, would you LOVE to take on some really gifted and excellently educated young pianists? Get connected with us here: http://letsplaymusicsite.com/connections
The Private Piano Teacher Certification Meeting was held in February of 2011. Email me or use the page above if you'd like to be involved in 2012.
If you are a LPM student and have a piano teacher in mind for after graduation, have her come get certified to take on LPM grads. She'll know exactly where you're coming from, and be piqued to help you soar.
If you ARE a piano teacher, would you LOVE to take on some really gifted and excellently educated young pianists? Get connected with us here: http://letsplaymusicsite.com/connections
The Private Piano Teacher Certification Meeting was held in February of 2011. Email me or use the page above if you'd like to be involved in 2012.
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