Music Promotes Learning

08/07/2003

"Nothing is so good as it seems beforehand." - George Eliot

MUSIC PROMOTES LEARNING

The July 25 issue of the Internet news bulletin "WHO CARES? RECENT DEVELOPMENTS ON CAREGIVING" reported this story on the value of music education . . .

"Agnes Chan of the Chinese University of Hong Kong has released a study July 29, 2003 finding that among 90 boys between ages 6 and 15, those who had musical training in school and lessons in classical music for one to five years scored better than those with no musical exposure on verbal memory tests. The study also found that those students who continued music studies showed continued improvement over others in vocabulary and memory. Chan speculates that music training provides a sensory stimulus to better develop the left temporal lobe of the brain (it might also be argued that those who are drawn into music classes already have natural ability in the area of left lobe brain development however-editor.) The study may have implications for children recovering from brain injuries."

"Who Care's" is presented courtesy of Beverley Smith of Canada in cooperation with Kids First Parent Association of Canada. For a free subscription, email: [email protected].

Those intrigued by the connection between music and learning, should watch for the upcoming September issue of Child Care Information Exchange which contains an insightful article by Phyllis Weikart, "Value for Learning and Living: Insights on the Value of Music and Steady Beat."

For more information about Exchange's magazine, books, and other products pertaining to ECE, go to www.ccie.com.