The way you measure a society’s soul is by the way that it treats its children.
Nelson Mandela
Kidz Newz #176 – 23rd October 2019
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You may have noticed I haven’t sent a newsletter in a while (5 months to be precise). This is because I have retired, I am closing down my beloved kidz-fiz-biz and next year the website will also close. What this means for you is that I have some stocks to move that I’m happy to give away FREE!
KFB Multicultural – FREE!
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Because you are loyal supporters I am offering you as many of these as you would like. All I ask is that you pay for postage. Please contact me directly via email – info@kidzfizbiz.com – to get these resources.
The Many Benefits of Music
Recently I read another report (thanks to the guys at Welcome to Music) about the benefits of music education for children. This was written by Tom Barnes on 17th February 2015 and appeared in www.mic.com. He cites many sources of research about music and development including a longitudinal study by the German Socio-Economic Panel in 2013. He quotes,
“Music improves cognitive and non-cognitive skills more than twice as much as sports, theatre or dance.”
The same study found that children learning to play an instrument “have better cognitive skills and school grades and are more conscientious, open and ambitious.”
The report goes on to state the many benefits that have been discovered including
- Improved reading and verbal skills
- Improved mathematical and spatial-temporal reasoning
- Helped improve grades
- Raised IQ
- Helped learn languages more quickly
- Made you a better listener
- Slowed the effects of aging
- Strengthened the motor cortex
- Improved working memory
- Improved long-term memory for visual stimuli
- Made you better at managing anxiety
- Enhanced self-confidence and self-esteem
- Made you more creative
I am reminded of the Monty Python sketch about ‘multi-purpose Snibbo’ which apparently cures everything from haemorrhoids to cliff erosion. Yes it’s a joke about snake-oil salesmen. This report above sounds a bit like Snibbo. As such, although everything claimed is true, the information needs to be taken with a little grain of salt.
The report implies every child will immediately take to learning to play an instrument and will immediately play very well and as a result, will become a super-human across the board. This is not the case, of course. I am always advocating for good quality music education for every child and once at school, to have the opportunity to learn to play an instrument, preferably prior to age 7.
All the claims stated above can be deemed true and when you think about each one of those 13 items, it is obvious why it should be so. Nevertheless, despite the obvious advantages, including social and emotional and the long-term enjoyment of music in all its forms throughout life, one is not necessarily going to become another Einstein or Beethoven, a Fonteyn or a Spitz simply because of having learnt to play an instrument.
The point is not for you to become an exceptional human being but rather for you to become the best human being you can be, to reach your potential in a most pleasing manner, even if, at age 5 or 6 you don’t want to practise and you don’t even enjoy learning to play an instrument. Later on the benefits will overcome any initial resistance and the habit of practice will have been established. Even a small improvement in brain function resulting in a small increase in ability across the board can have an extraordinary effect on one’s results in school and in life. That is the point of the article, despite the hyperbole.
Why wouldn’t schools want to give every child their best chance? If governments won’t support school music programs, what creative ways can you find for providing it anyway?
Quotes of the Week
Liking it is not a requirement. Doing it is a requirement. Micko O’Byrne
The best way to predict the future is to create it. Peter Drucker
It’s a funny thing about life. If you refuse to accept anything but the best, you very often get it. (unknown)
Testimonials
GESS Indonesia 2017
I will promote this session and share with my teachers. Nukiandari Preschool Mutiara Harapan Islamic School.
This presentation is very good for teaching the children. I’m happy to get more experiences today.
Please come and join in. Amazing presentation. Thank you. Triana Dewi, SMPN I Kembangbahu Lamongan East Java.
The presentation is very creative and fun for the children. It would make children more motivated to go to school every day. I believe that music is a universal and powerful tool to connect with ANYONE instead of learning in a serious way. Overall great job! Revolutionary! Mr Claproth, Royal Tots Academy, English K1 & K2
I will tell my partners at school to try this activity.
I would like to tell them that teaching kids is fun using music and movement. We want to explore much more about teaching techniques. I love this session. It’s really helpful.
I will tell my colleagues about this. It was all very good. Royal Tots Academy, K1.
I will tell others about this. Much more time please! At least one more hour per session. Desianah and Dayane, Special Needs Teachers.
It was very good.
Entertainment
This is what can happen when children are exposed to music at a young age. Bach like you’ve never heard it! It’s only 3 minutes 19 seconds long. Get a cup of tea and enjoy!
About The Author
Marlene Rattigan B.A., Dip. Ed. (ECS), CELTA
Marlene Rattigan is an Early Childhood teacher, a teacher of English as a Second Language, and from 1987-2000 was a nationally accredited fitness leader. Her background is in music education. A keen interest in motor development in children led to the creation of Kidz-Fiz-Biz which she taught successfully for 13 years. Marlene also conducts workshops for children, teachers and parents at schools, in the community and at conferences. She has produced teaching manuals complete with audio CDs which are an extension of her ‘Kidz-Fiz-Biz’ program.
Kidz-Fiz-Biz
PO Box 6894, East Perth WA 6892 Australia
T: +61 8 9355 4890 M: +61 (0) 410 64 2781 E: info@kidzfizbiz.com
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Until next time … continue being a legend in your classroom.
Marlene Rattigan, Editor
Kidz Newz
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