Page 25 - ParentsWorld March 2020 flipbuilder

struction, including singing and keyboard lessons, averaged musicians. Music focus primes and prepares the human
43 percent more in IQ tests than children who weren’t brain for heightened emotional arousal and concentration.
signed up for music lessons. similarly, a Massachusetts In- Moreover playing a musical instrument triggers the release
stitute of Technology study reveals that the cerebral cortex of dopamine — the ‘happy’ hormone which also controls
of concert pianists is 30 percent larger than of acknowl- body movement, memory, and focus.
edged intellectuals without music education. “Music probably does something unique,” says neu-
likewise, a research study conducted by susan Hallam ropsychologist Catherine loveday of the University of
in 2010 at the Institute of Education, University of lon- Westminster. “It stimulates the brain in a very powerful
don, concluded that students with formal music education way because of our emotional connection with it.”
tend to record higher academic scores in primary, middle Music learning changes brain structure and function for
and high school years. good. Unlike any other brain stimulating puzzle or game,
playing a musical instrument improves coordination and
anXiEty rEduction integration of the visual and tactical senses and motor
Playing a musical instrument or singing a tune or even mere movements. “Music reaches parts of the brain that other
listening to music helps to reduce anxiety and depression things can’t. It is a strong cognitive stimulus that grows the
in children and adults. A 2019 research study conducted brain in a way that nothing else does, and enhances things
by Florida National University found that students who like working memory and language skills,” adds loveday.
studied while listening to ambient music reported reduction
in stress and anxiety and improved concentration and brain inStiLS diSciPLinE
function. some common types of ambient music include Dedicated learning and practice of music instils discipline
orchestra and recorded sounds of waterfalls, birds, rain. and simultaneously develops children’s motor skills and
hand-eye coordination.
iMProvEd concEntration I strong recommend you enroll your child in a music
Numerous research studies have highlighted that violin- class in school or after school. The joy of learning music is
ists, saxophonists, keyboardists and other instrumentalists a life-changing experience.
tend to have better concentration skills and and tend to be (tanjua gomes is co-founder and co-cEo of the Mumbai-based
less aggressive, depressed and more equable than non- furtados School of Music)

parentsworld • march 2020 25