Music lessons primes the mind for learning

KANATA, Ontario, September 02, 2011 – According to an Early Brain Development Conference “by the age of three, brains of children are 2½ times more active than the brains of adults and they stay that way for the first 10 years of life. They are biologically primed for learning”.

Playing different sports requires concentration but nothing like the concentration required to perform a major repertoire of classical music. Playing the piano also encourages creativity which opens children’s minds to new horizons. It enables children to communicate through tempos and dynamics, to express themselves. And it helps children learn persistence which is a great attribute to have.

Any activity that requires discipline and postpones satisfaction is a benefit for children. Learning to delay gratification is considered an important component of emotional intelligence. According to E. Glenn Schellenberg, PhD from the University of Toronto, “Organized music lessons appear to benefit children’s IQ and academic performance – and the longer the instruction continues, the larger the effect.”

Toddler music groups are good for developing social skills and also help young children overcome shyness. Classes with pre-school students need to be active and engaging and include songs, storytelling and puppetry. This keeps the children focused and entranced. Music for Young Children’s Sunrise program is a good example of this and the program delights young children with their three main characters Buddy the Frog, Mellow Yellow (a dog) and Buzz (the fly).

Music plays a critical role in the foundations of communication and expression and is critical to our survival and future intelligence. It should also be a highly personal and pleasurable experience. Early piano lessons set your child up for this winning situation. So if you are thinking of enrolling your child in piano lessons, check out Canadian-owned Music for Young Children. MYC was created in 1980 by Frances Balodis to provide children with an exciting, child-centered approach to learning music and is now also taught in the U.S., South Korea, New Zealand, Singapore and Vietnam.

Working together in small age-specific groups with parents and teachers, children learn fundamental music skills. MYC builds a solid foundation of understanding and enjoyment of music. Singing together creates a special bond. Keyboard playing and rhythm ensembles nurture team skills. Music reading and theory are reinforced with group activities and colorful, hands-on materials. Composing integrates aural and written skills and gives children a sense of ownership.

Dr. D.F. Cook, CM, Principal, (Retired) Conservatory Canada said, “Conservatory Canada offers a comprehensive national examination system. We have been pleased to note that students from the Music for Young Children program are in general well-prepared in every aspect for this experience. They appear to be confident in technique, repertoire, aural training, sight reading and viva voce. Moreover, and perhaps even more important, they seem to be happy musicians”.

Classes are filling up fast.  For more information call your MYC Mississauga teacher or check out our web page www.mycmississauga.com.