Kids Exposed to Music during the Early Years Grow into Better Skilled Individuals Later On

by Samiksha S. Author

Remember how your kids had started swaying to their favorite tunes even before they learnt to form proper words? How a particular melody makes them burst into giggles and had their face lit up with the brightest smile? At Yuvashakti Model School, recognized as the best school in Rohini, Delhi, we believe that our inherent connection with the melodies and rhythms transcends words and verses, and grows stronger as we age. After all, as Indians, we have a song for every occasion, be it our marriages or our prayers. And, thus, music becomes an intrinsic part of our lives and our culture, right from the earliest years.

But, do you know that exposing our kids to music from a young age actually helps in honing their skillset?

Multiple studies have shown that music has a major impact on our children’s lives. So, today, we, at Yuvashakti, will take a look at the findings of a few of such studies, and discuss further about the significance of music for the development of the young minds.

The connection between academic achievement and music

A five-year study conducted by the Brain and Creativity Institute of the University of Southern California showed that musical experiences in early childhood accelerate cognitive development, which aids in various aspects of academic achievement all through their lives.

Exposure to music enhances reading and language acquisition skills, but most importantly, it improves mathematical learning. Music helps the brain in better understanding of different areas of math. The knowledge of the scales, rhythm, and beat helps children learn divisions, fractions, and patterns more easily.

The use of musical instruments to strengthen skillsets

Learning to play a musical instrument is no small feat as it needs hours of practice and utmost dedication and concentration. The perseverance and dedication that a child has to invest when mastering a musical instrument helps him/her grow into a focused and determined individual.

But, that is not the sole reason for us to believe that it’s crucial for children to pick up musical instruments from a young age. A study by Marie Forgeard ET. Al. from the Harvard Medical School suggest instrumental music improves the dexterity of fine motor skills, which aids children all through their lives.

The impact of music on enhancing children’s memory

If children are taught to recite songs from an early age, it helps to sharpen both their short-term and long-term memory. Remembering the verses, the tunes, and the changes in melody help ensure that learning a song is constantly jogging their memories.

Studies have shown that children with an ear for music are also the ones with a better working memory, which in turn, is important for their cognitive abilities, such as language training and decision-making. It has also been noticed that the impact of music is enhanced when exposure begins during pre-school or early years of school.

Music breeds a greater appreciation for cultural diversity

Every song that we teach our children, every instrument they learn to play, and all the tunes they learn, have their origin in some or other cultures. At the music club at Yuvashakti Model School, when we explain the meaning and significance of the songs and rhythms to our children, we also make them more appreciative to the cultural diversity of our world. This lesson of kindness and empathy is a life skill that children learn the best through music.

At Yuvashakti, we believe that bringing kids and music together offers an enjoyable way to teach them the skills that aid them for life ahead. And this is why music and dance has always been an integral part of our teaching methodology at YMS. Our music classes at YMS have been diligently planned to aid in the holistic growth of children, and prepare them for the way ahead.