THE IMPORTANCE OF MUSIC IN SCHOOL EDUCATION

An interesting article came my way – ‘The importance of Music in School Education’ – from Ruchira Jayasinghe.

Ruchira, incidentally, is a Visiting Lecturer, University of Visual and Performing Arts, BPA Piano (special), LLCM , ATCL, AIWMS, and this is what she has to say…

People have always found music significant in their lives for enjoyment in listening, the emotional response, performing or creating. Plato once said that the music “is a more potent instrument than any other for education” Recent researchers have found music affects the growth of a child’s brain academically, emotionally, physically and spiritually. Music is essential to many of our lives. We listen to it when waking up, while in transit, at work, and with our friends. For many, music is like a constant companion. It can bring us joy and motivate us to accompany us through difficult times and alleviate our worries. Music is much more than mere entertainment. It has a feature of every known human society – anthropologists and sociologists have yet to find a single culture throughout the course of human history that has not had music. 

Music stimulates brain development in children 

Various studies have found that engagement with music can lead to an improvement in brain development in children. A study at Northwestern University found better neural processing in students who played a musical instrument when they were compared with students who simply listened to music. This study has shown the importance of receiving music education rather than simply turning on background music when students are doing work in other subjects. Other studies have also found increases in IQ points in children who deal with music. Another study which was also conducted at Northwestern University found that students who actively participated in music classes had better speech processing abilities. Music education is also a great way to enhance reading comprehension abilities in children. 

Music integrates many different subjects 

Music education is so important because it integrates so many different subject areas all at once. Not only will music education allow children to develop their musical skills, it will also give them the opportunity to work on their math skills, reading and writing skills, science skills and history knowledge. Time signatures in music are an excellent way to incorporate fractions and lyric analysis and songwriting will allow students to work on their reading abilities. Additionally, having discussions about how instruments work will involve information on the physics of sound and learning about music’s place in society. 

Music is a way to connect with other people 

Music education is also important because it will give students a way to connect with other people. Children are naturally very social and it is important to encourage them to build relationships by providing them experiences to share with each other. Creating a school band or small ensemble or participation in a chorus will allow children to work together towards a final product. It has been proven time and again that having people of all ages play or listen to music together will help to create bonds. 

Music teaches discipline 

Music will also teach children to develop time management skills and discipline. If students are expected to learn their instruments and practice outside of school, they will develop the ability to create a practice schedule and balance every other activity they have going on in their lives. Learning discipline and time management from a young age will have benefits on a child’s future. 

Music can relieve stress 

Music is an excellent way to relieve stress which is significant for students who may feel overwhelmed by school work and try to balance extra- curricular activities. Students have found that music can reduce burn out and improve mood states. Even young students can experience stress with the increasing amounts of homework.in addition you may consider sound tracking your classroom to help relieve stress and anxiety for the students. Doing so can also help to create a focused learning atmosphere.