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We love it when science backs up again and again what music teachers and parents have known for a long time – music and music classes have significant and far-reaching benefits that extend beyond singing, moving, and playing instruments and into areas of brain development, academic advantage, language development, literacy, and more.  In particular, new research is highlighting the powerful connection between music and reading.

One long-time researcher and advocate for the benefits of music is Dr. Nina Kraus, Professor of Neurobiology & Physiology, Otolaryngology, and the Hugh Knowles Chair in Audiology at Northwestern University.  For your reading pleasure, here are some of the highlights of her studies, both past and current, with links to past Minds on Music posts.

What Science Says about the Music-Literacy Connection

Music is a powerful tool for strengthening and improving reading ability.

Many of the same aspects of sound processing that are deficient in children with language and learning impairments have been found to be strengthened in those who receive music training, and music-based interventions have demonstrated some success in the remediation of reading problems, too.  – Dr. Nina Kraus in this Neuroscience article

Children between the ages of 6 and 9 years old who took music lessons could better differentiate speech sounds, which directly relates to language and literacy skills.

• Two New Brain Studies Look at Music and Learning in a Group

Learning to play a musical instrument or to sing can help disadvantaged children strengthen their reading and language skills by improving the way their nervous systems process sounds in a busy environment.

• Music Can Offset Children’s Academic Gaps

A preschooler’s ability to follow a rhythm and keep a steady beat can accurately predict early language skills and reading skills.

• Got Rhythm? Rhythm Skills Could Predict Reading Disabilities

Benefits of music on reading only seen when participants consistently and actively engage in the music making over an extended period of time.

• Music Class: Where Shoes Aren’t Required But Participation Is

Experience the benefits of music firsthand! Contact your local Kindermusik educator today at www.Kindermusik.com.

Pew Research Center recently asked a national sample of adults which skills were most important for children to have in order to get ahead in today’s world. Out of the 10 skills from which they could choose, more respondents said communication skills were most important for success, followed by reading, math, and teamwork.

Much of the groundwork and preparation for successful development of these academic and life skills can be laid at a young age.  So where can parents and teachers find that one early childhood experience that delivers on developing all of these vital skills from a very early age?

Music… It’s all in here!

Music teaches communication skills. 
Learning to listen, singing back and forth, sharing non-verbal responses, creative movement responses to music, being part of an ensemble… all of these elements of communication are an integral part of music and music making.  And all are heightened by the experience to be had only in a group music class.

Music enhances literacy skills. 
Just as in reading, music symbols have meaning.  You read music from left to right just as you read words from left to right. Music involves rhythm, syntax, vocabulary, and expression just as reading does. Music is a form of communication just like the written word. Music improves phonological and phonemic awareness.  The list could go on.

Music promotes math skills. 
Numbers, patterns, proportions, ratios, spatial reasoning… sounds like a highly sophisticated list of skills. But all are skills that are mastered by musicians and mathematicians alike. And all of these are introduced to one degree or another even in an early childhood music program like Kindermusik (studio program) or ABC Music & Me (school program).

Music facilitates teamwork.
This is especially evident in a music class, where children share, listen, take turns, and make music together. There’s something about music and a music class that encourages children to work together, cooperate, and problem-solve. Perhaps it’s because in music class, differences are leveled out and there’s one common experience – the joy of making music together.

Watch carefully and you’ll see a delightful example of the ways that even in one activity, music (specifically, Kindermusik!) can teach aspects communication, vocabulary (reading), math (spatial development), and teamwork.

Discover more about the rich benefits of music education with these free e-books.

In Kindermusik classrooms all around the world, Kindermusik educators are as much about providing a rich, lasting musical learning experience for the child as they are about giving parents lots of tips and resources that help make great parenting just a little bit easier. In fact, we have quite a few musical tricks up our sleeve, and we’ve put together our top 10 just for you.

10 Secret Musical Tricks Every Parent Needs to Know

#1 – Sometimes you just need to dance.
When your child is cranky or stir-crazy, or for that matter, when you are feeling a little cranky or stir-crazy, dancing to your favorite song can change the mood in an instant. A slow dance is great for reconnecting and calming, while a happy, lively dance gives an outlet for pent-up energy.

#2 – Pots, pans, bowls, and plastic utensils make for an instant kitchen band (and buy you a little time to fix dinner!).
While you’re fixing lunch or dinner, settle your child in a safe place near you in the kitchen surrounded by his/her own musical exploration station. Nothing fancy needed here, but metal bowls and plastic utensils can keep a child happily occupied while you get the meal prepared.

#3 – A lullaby routine can help your child settle down for bed easier and faster.
Even if you don’t remember all of the words, establishing a routine of cuddling, singing, and rocking together before naps and bedtime can be a wonderful way not only to connect with your child, but also to help them be more ready to settle down for a good nap. And you’ll love the memories you’ll have too!

#4 – Running errands is lots better with music in the car.
Sing, wiggle, and tap together as you drive around time. It will make the time pass quicker, and your child will probably stay a lot happier. Singing and listening to music in the car is also a great time to interact with your child, while giving them some quality exposure to music.

For some more free ideas and 5 free songs from Kindermusik International, click here.

#5 – A CD or playlist of quiet, relaxing music is great for some musical “white noise” during sleep times.
You know that lawn crew or barking dog that always seems to pick your child’s nap time to make the most noise? Chances are that sudden outside noises won’t even cause a stir if your child is listening to music during nap time. We love Kindermusik’s “You Are My Sunshine” album or “A Child’s Gift of Lullabies” by Greenville’s own Emile Pandolfi.

#6 – A large towel or laundry basket makes for a fun and imaginative hayride wagon! Even little ones love going along for a ride, especially when you add some lively music to ride along to! This makes for a nice break in between piles of laundry, and it always makes for a good workout for mom too. Try it – it’s more of a cardio workout than you might think!

#7 – A couple of old scarves are perfect for swishing, twirling, tossing, bouncing… and playing peek-a-boo!
Add some music and maybe even some bubbles, and you’ve got the formula for a little magic and a whole lot of giggles. You’ll probably even want to join in on the fun! Make a playlist of some fun, lively music intermixed with slower, lyrical selections, and you’ve just created a fun, indoor activity that can keep your child occupied for a good long while.

#8 – Keep an instrument basket handy.
Collect some age-appropriate instruments that your child can explore. Keep these in a basket or container in the playroom or in the family room that you can easily pull out when you or your child want a little play time. Your child can explore on his/her own, but better yet, sit down with your child and enjoy a family jam play-along with some of your favorite music, or initiate a musical learning experience by exploring and labeling concepts (high/low, in/out, up/down, loud/soft) and timbres (the unique qualities of sound).

#9 – Say “I love you” in so many different ways with music.
On the changing table, during bath time, after a meltdown, or even just first-thing in the morning, there’s nothing better than a song or a dance with mom (or dad!). No excuses… your child thinks your voice is the most beautiful thing in the world, and if you’re really that self-conscious, sing along with some music on your phone. Or just cuddle your child up in your lap and savor the moment. You can also use singing or rocking to distract your child from a meltdown or to reconnect after a particularly emotional moment. In fact, here are 5 free Kindermusik love songs to get you started.

#10 – You don’t have to be a musician to teach your child to love music.
All you have to do is make music a priority in your home and in your daily routines. If you model a love for and interest in music, chances are your child will develop that same love. Creating a musical environment in your home and investing in music classes from an early age is a precious gift you can give your child. There are few better gifts you can give your child than putting a song in their heart – for now and for life!

Visit a Kindermusik class today and learn even MORE secret musical tricks!

Written by Theresa Case, who has loved sharing music tips for over 20 years now in her award-winning Kindermusik program at Piano Central Studios in beautiful upstate South Carolina.  This article was originally shared with the loyal followers of Kidding Around Greenville.

#1 Misconception about musical play for kids: the participants need to be musically inclined.

Musical play should be all about awakening and refining senses and skills to help children soar in any environment, and home is the best place to start.

Creating a musical home doesn’t mean parents and caregivers can play instruments or know any of the top Broadway tunes. A musical home is simply a safe environment where listening to music, appreciating and enjoying music, and actively engaging in musical activities are part of everyday life.

10 reasons why we think music belongs in every child’s home

1. Children naturally and instinctively express thoughts and feelings through movement and music. 

Watch your baby’s eyes light up as you dance and sing “Skinnamarink” to her. Or listen in on your child’s play time… chances are you might catch your little one singing or humming to themselves. For some entertainment, see what happens when you start playing some of your child’s favorite music. There will almost always be some kind of response!

You can find a great version of this tune on our free app! 

2. Music provides children a method of communication long before they can speak.

This is an amazing video of a 3-month-old baby “singing” back to her mom. Wait for it… this little one really gets going once she gets warmed up!

3. Singing makes children (and grown-ups!) feel happy.

And it’s not just because you’re singing your favorite song. The act of singing actually releases “feel good” hormones in the brain. Singing also makes us feel good because it is usually a social activity—singing with family, singing with friends in a Kindermusik class, or even singing in a chorus or choir.

4. Music builds a child’s confidence.

Learning to sing, dance, and play instruments gives a child a confidence unlike any other activity. Perhaps it’s because music can be such personal self-expression or because making music with others feels so rewarding.

5. It’s good for their brains.

From language skills to early literacy skills to math skills, music supports healthy cognitive development with a proven positive impact when compared to children with less music in their lives.

6. Listening to a wide variety of musical styles and genres teaches children about the world around them.

As a reflection of ourselves and of our culture, music all around the world is distinct and diverse. But it also tells a story…the story of our past, our present, and even of our future.  Diversity in musical listening encourages children to be creative, open-minded, and inquisitive.

7. Music creates memories.

From quietly humming a lullaby to bouncing a child in time to the beat of a song to singing a certain tune at dinnertime to get a child to open up, music knits together those everyday family moments.

This morning routine repeats itself in bedrooms around the world—snuggling in bed and singing songs.

8. Music supports a child’s fine and gross motor skills development.

Exploring and playing all kinds of instruments—from shaking and tapping baby-safe bells to grasping the mallets to play the glockenspiel—develops those fine motor skills so crucial for writing, tying shoes, or playing the violin someday. And what better way to learn to walk, jump, skip, or gallop than with music that inspires you to move in just those ways!

9. Music can create connections between the generations.

Musical styles may change from generation to generation, but a love for music never changes. Music is still the one thing we can all share and have in common. Music gives a way to be together, sing together, dance together, and make memories together.

10. Best of all…music, especially shared music-making, is fun!

We must never overlook the obvious need for children (and families) to actively engage in joyous activities together, and there’s nothing like music to bring families together, put a smile on their faces, and happiness in their hearts.

Want to learn how to bring more music into your home? Find an in-person or virtual Kindermusik class and follow us on social media for practical tips!

Yes, music can evoke various feelings when we listen to it. But, what about if you can’t hear it? Imagine experiencing music without hearing music. Take a look at a performance by this group of deaf percussionists from Singapore. They hear the music through their whole bodies as they experience the beat!

This is exactly what researchers hoped to confirm in a recent study conducted at the International Laboratory for Brain, Music and Sound Research in Montreal – that even those with cochlear implants “…can enjoy a myriad of musical benefits if the composition significantly emphasizes the beat…”

Previously, many who used cochlear implants for profound hearing loss were given very little, if any, exposure to music or musical movement because the implants are deficient in transmitting the pitch and tone quality of music, and all that was heard through the implants was noise.

Fast forward to the study led by Dr. Jessica Phillips-Silver.  Dr. Phillips-Silver’s premise proved correct.  By using music that emphasizes a beat, cochlear implant users experienced improvement not just in music perception, but also in language perception.  In writing about the research results, Dr. Phillips-Silver’s team asserted that not only could language use and understanding be improved by exposure to the beat in music, but there could also be corresponding improvement in “emotional and social quality of life.”

“We know that music training engages some brain plasticity — it refines the sense of rhythm, benefiting the perception of speech, so that may help them understand spoken language. But also there is so much enjoyment in music — a strong beat activates the joy of body movement,” Phillips-Silver says. “What we hear is what we feel and what we feel is what we hear.”

All of this supports research findings from this study done in 2007 which found that “…[c]hild implant users enjoy music more than adult implant users. Moreover, younger age at implantation increases children’s engagement with music, which may enhance their progress in other auditory domains.”

These exciting research findings confirm yet again the incredible power of music to touch not just our emotions, but to profoundly affect nearly every other part of our being – music is good for our brains, our bodies, our hearts, and our souls.

Here at Kindermusik, we believe that all children can – and should! – experience music.  Contact your local Kindermusik educator to learn more.  www.Kindermusik.com