The Power of Music
Music, oh beautiful music! It transcends barriers and brings people together like nothing else can.
Music has a way of teaching us how to get to know people better—while having the power to connect people to themselves and everything around us. It can unite our senses!
The benefits of music education for children
From lullabies to birthday parties, music has always played a role in the lives of children. And for good reason. Research has shown that musical education can benefit children in many ways.
Music can:
- Boost brain development
- Improve information processing and problem-solving skills
- Enhance bonding experiences
- Help children learn new words and improve communication skills
- Promote physical activity (dancing along to favorite songs gets kids moving)
- Elevate mood
- Enhance academic performance
- Lower stress and improve health
- Regulate emotions and promote relaxation
And, that’s not all the benefits. As a believer in the constant and healing power of music, I did what anyone else would do – I dug into the research, and what I found fascinated me.
In a controlled study, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine compared the effects of intravenous sedatives and music medicine. Researchers measured patients’ anxiety levels before and after listening to research-selected music (the ‘Weightless’ series by Marconi Union) through noise-canceling headphones. Marconi Union, a music group, collaborated with sound therapists to produce this series of tracks. The main goal was to lower anxiety, blood pressure, and heart rate.
If you want or need an extended version for longer relaxation, Marconi Union has created a 10-hour version that is ideal for sleep or rest.
Although more research of this kind is needed, researchers found that music medicine is a holistic method that significantly reduces anxiety before surgery. The use of music before surgery can be a safe, cost-effective alternative to pharmaceuticals to help relieve anxiety. Imagine, then, what music can do for the growing brain if it can calm patients before a stressful operation.
The brain’s response to music
Music has a profound effect on the human brain. Studies have shown that listening to music can alter brain function and improve mood and well-being. Additionally, music can improve concentration, memory, and creativity, enhance sleep quality, reduce stress levels, and promote relaxation. These effects are particularly beneficial for children who are still developing both physically and mentally.
With its ability to stimulate multiple areas of the brain at once, music provides an excellent opportunity for young minds to learn and grow. Additional studies have shown that children who learn to play a musical instrument have better problem-solving skills, mathematical ability, and verbal proficiency. Music education also improves self-esteem, social skills, and teamwork.
Incorporating music into a child’s life
Arts for Critical Thinking©
Lemberg Cloud supports Arts for Critical Thinkingⓒ (ACT), a program designed to improve children’s educational outcomes. Through ACT, children learn how to acquire skills and knowledge through music and visual arts.
Engaging in artistic activity is fun for kids! One great advantage that music and other arts bring to educating children is the immense pleasure these activities so often generate. Once children discover that it is even more fun to engage in artistic activities with skill, they will try hard to increase their enjoyment by becoming even more skillful at the activity.
Please click here to learn more about ACT, including an introduction from the program’s creator and curriculum demonstrations.
Thinking in Music
Lemberg also supports Thinking in Music, a program that introduces young people to the joys and values of music and other arts while helping them develop and learn more effectively.
If you are interested in learning how to implement Thinking in Music in your home or classroom, Lemberg Cloud offers a number of free courses and activities. Our online space is full of resources that can help children and caregivers access the benefits of this unique approach to music education.
🎶 Let Music Captivate Your Child’s Imagination 🎶
Through our classes and materials, you will learn how to effectively use Thinking in Music to help children develop a love for music and improve their overall thinking skills. We invite you to explore our website and take advantage of all that we have to offer.
At Home or Anywhere
Music is an essential part of many people’s lives. It can provide a form of self-expression, be used as a tool for relaxation, or provide enjoyment all on its own.
One way to incorporate music into a child’s life is to play music while on the move or at home. This can be accomplished in many ways, such as playing music or nursery rhymes while getting ready for the day, listening to music during mealtimes, or having a dance party in the living room.
Another option is to take children to musical events, such as community festivals or theater performances. These experiences can help them appreciate different music genres and expose them to live performances. There are no hard and fast rules – the important thing is that you make music a regular part of your daily routine. No matter how music is incorporated into a child’s life, it can be a powerful tool for promoting their overall well-being.
Music speaks to the heart and soul
From ancient folk songs to modern pop hits, music has always had the power to bring people together. Music can bridge the gap between cultures and connect us on a deeper level when used effectively and intentionally. Music can touch our emotions and express what words cannot. It can lift our spirits when we are feeling down or provide comfort in times of sorrow.
Music is something that we can all relate to. Whether we are listening to our favorite band, singing along to a familiar song, or dancing to a catchy beat, music brings us together in one common experience.
Music can help us to communicate our feelings and share our stories with the world. Whether listening to music or creating it ourselves, it is an essential part of our human experience—and music is one thing that can truly connect us all.