Effect Of Music Education On Children's Learning example essay topic

-It was a pride of me as a mother who saw her little girl on the stage sitting on the chair putting her little fingers on the piano and trying to play the song perfectly. Seeing her curious face when practiced and encountered missed tones, for a while I couldn't believe that my little girl has been gifted with ability in music. It was her first performance, in her early age; she achieved the applause from the audience. For this, I am thankful that I can still support my child in her growth times to increase her creativity- Being children is one of the most grateful times that people would ever had. Childhood suppose to be an exciting, fun and challenging period of life where children are involved in playing and also learning process. Learning is relatively permanent change in behavior potentiality that occurs as a result of reinforced practice (Sternberg, 1986).

Based on this definition, parents are aware that childhood is the most important time to reestablish basic education on their children such as raising the physical, mental and emotional foundation. From the example above, it indicates that music can be one of the media in developing children's skills, this fact has lead some parents to introduce their children about the process of learning through music; considering that there is strong correlation between music education and children's skills development, it will support their children to become successful in life. Some children have opportunity to learn music in their early age and some of them have already joined the music club and participated in mini performance. Their parents believe learning piano in the childhood can increase children's academic skills.

It will be analyzed in certain ways, such as by enhancing children's mind, by developing children's concentration and coordination and by reinforcing children's creativity. This fact can be true based on many researches that have been explored of its truth. A study released in February, 1997 shows that music education specifically, piano instruction in children produces changes in the brain which enhance children's mind skills. These skills are necessary for learning mathematics and science, to play chess, and to understand many concepts of engineering.

Supporting these data, Martin Gardiner and his colleagues have demonstrated that playing musical instrument in this case piano in the early training can influence children's test scores in reading and math. Dr. Gordon Shaw, a University of California-Irvine emeritus physics professor stated that he believes piano instruction helps to hardware the brain in such a way that children are better able to visualize and transform object in space and time. Another study (by researchers at the University of Wisconsin and the University of California) shows that when three and four year old children were given simple piano lessons over a six-month period, they performed 34% better than other children in IQ tests, some of whom had computer lessons instead. This result came from a study of 789 children. Human's brain consists of the cerebral and cerebellar cortices. The cerebral cortex is concerned with the control of higher nervous function.

In humans, these include learning behaviors, memory, pattern recognition and abstract thought. The application of learning piano; the melody, rhythm and sense of harmony which will be practiced in the method lesson have a direct effect on the development of the cerebral cortex in associated with the brain's neural connections, actually generating intellectual expansion. In other words learning piano in the childhood helps to create and maintain certain "connections" in children's brains that may not otherwise form. Related to the part of human's brain named the cerebellar cortex, which functions as the controller in the coordination of balance and eye - hand coordination.

When children play the piano, they are required using the brain, hands, eyes and feet simultaneously that's why learning piano is associated with developing children's concentration and coordination... The piano requires both hands to independently move the keys. While the right hand plays a lilting melody, the left hand may be required to keep a slow steady beat. Not only do the hands work independent of each other, but so do the fingers.

The fingers on each hand must grab for the lower white keys, or the upper black keys to produce the proper harmony. At this time, certain fingers will not press any keys at all. When it comes to real musical piano performance, children must constantly interpret what they see on the music sheet into action and it is continually have to be updated and adjusted. This coordination of constant attention and forethought coupled with continuously changing physical responses is an educational experience of unique value.

For another example, as the children progress in their lessons they might be encouraged to team up with a partner for 'four-handed' piano. This is where two individuals play the two different players, and four-handed pieces can be quite complex in their harmonies. It is difficult enough for one person to coordinate their own two hands with the proper beat and rhythm, but the there is an added layer of complexity with four hands - particularly when they are not all operated by the same brain These children may be able to learn easier and store information better than children who don't participate in learning piano. As the child progresses in his lessons, he might be encouraged to team up with a partner for 'four-handed' piano. This is where two individuals play the same piece on one (or sometimes two) pianos. The piece is specially written to accommodate the two different players, and four-handed pieces can be quite complex in their harmonies.

It is difficult enough for one person to coordinate their own two hands with the proper beat and rhythm, but the there is an added layer of complexity with four hands - particularly when they are not all operated by the same brain. Developing concentration and coordination in the same time also will help the children to keep focus on the other subjects at school. Their ability to equalize between concentration and coordination will help them to sustain what their brain caught and apply it becomes accomplishment which they suppose to do. Playing piano becomes more natural ability when it is taught through a learning process that reinforcing children's creativity in music. In study of Biology, there is a part of human's brain named right cerebrum. The right cerebrum plays role as a stimulator in our aesthetic area.

By learning piano children get used to listen to the sound of piano itself and encourage them to appreciate tones in their own mind into piano. This instrument is functioned as the devices that capture the imagination and convert this energy into sound. As they sway to the music, they feel the rhythm. While listening to songs, let they get used to remember the next tones and try to apply it into piano music. These also motivate children's brain to develop their creativity. Children are very capable of learning to compose the tones, and it is a satisfying experience that will guide them into adulthood.

When children understand what they are playing, practices become more meaningful and internal understanding of the music values begin to grow. In addition, to learn to play from music sheets, most children find that creating their own music can empower their experience. Few parents would willingly restrain their children mental and physical development, but it can happen unintentionally by taking a passive role in the children activities. When they are around three years old, most children begin to interest in music.

Research has shown that learning music in the childhood introduced children to make them more relaxed and receptive to learn. Several studies by the American Association for the Advancement of Science, which is based at Brown University, explored the effect of music education on children's learning. The conclusions of these studies support the theory that learning process through music can help build children's intellectual and emotional skill. It also strengthens children's academic skills. Music is one of the few art forms that occur over time. It requires mental imagery, transforming mental images and being able to reason in sequence.

It seems as if music and science share some things in common. Playing the piano requires the child to simultaneously use the brain, hands, eyes and feet. Children develop their mind, concentration skills, coordination and creativity through piano playing. Not only do physical and coordination skills get sharper, children develop a great sense of achievement.

Learning an instrument like the piano can be very satisfying to the children. It's relatively easy to begin learning, and children discover that with a little practice, they improve remarkably. The fact that simply listening to Instrumental music at young age can dramatically enhance a young child's intellectual capabilities is still in debate. With proper instructions, piano can be categorized as a mediator in supporting children's development. Good piano lessons provide many of benefits that have already mentioned above. Those benefits are expected will guide children to empower them by the time they are carried over into other areas of the child's life; school, social activities and relationships with friends and family.