Wednesday, November 17, 2010

How Musical Instruments Help Children Understand Math

By Adriana Noton

Musical instruments help young children develop their mathematical skills. Children who take music lessons develop a sense of rhythm and coordination. The child needs to use their mind as well as their hands to play the instrument. Their hands also need to do different things at different times. This all exercises the child's young mind and stimulates concentration.

Math is not an easy subject. Most people struggle with math and find it a stressful and frustrating subject. Music is the exact opposite. It is enjoyable, fun and relaxing. Yet, these two are very closely related to one another. In order to understand and read music one must have a basic understanding of math.

Counting beats helps children develop their understanding of whole numbers. Music notation helps them identify shapes and spatial relationships which forms the basis of geometry. Analyzing music pitch and pace develops their ability to measure and compare.

Many researchers have conducted studies to explore the correlation between cognitive development and music education. They have all concluded that children who study music display advanced brain development compared to children who have no music education. An example of this is can be found in a study that was done on high school children. Students who took music lessons achieved higher test scores than students who did not.

In essence, music enhances a child's ability to learn and memorize information. The human brain processes information more efficiently when information is grouped into small chunks. Music exists naturally as small chunks of information.

Music is not only beneficial for developing math skills. Children who take music lessons also see a significant improvement in their speech, reading and writing abilities. The first person to notice the connection between math and music was Pythagoras, the well-known philosopher. He showed that math is the defining element in all music.

Does the choice if instrument have an impact on learning development? There is nothing to suggest that one instrument is better than another at improving a child's learning development. However, the choice of instrument does affect the child's motivation to learn. A child that is learning to play an instrument they love and enjoy will be more likely to devote more time to their music development.

The world is blessed with a wide variety of instruments. Sometimes the most difficult part is choosing which instrument to take up. Some parents feel the need to force their child to take up an instrument of their choice. This should be avoided at all costs. Children who are forced into playing will quickly become frustrated and disheartened which usually results in the music lessons being abandoned. Parents should encourage and support the child's goals and interests.

Ultimately, the child should choose which instrument they want to play. If they have no immediate preference then exposing them to a variety of musical instruments will be of great benefit. This allows them to make an informed choice and ensures that they will be committed to the instrument they finally select.

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