Music is a way of expression and very often, it can reflect and share emotions such as love, joy, anger, and sadness. Every ethnic culture will also have their own music, where they weave it into dances, songs and instruments.

So with music in our lives, how does it affect us?

As mentioned by Chaloux, “Music offers many benefits, including increasing learning and improving mental focus. According to KidsHealth.com, music contributes to a sensory-rich environment, which can forge new neural pathways between the brain cells.”

If you have noticed, children are naturally drawn to music since a young age, be it bobbing of heads to music, or rocking back and forth, or perhaps dancing and stamping their feet to the rhythm. Music is also seen as a form of comfort for many, be it a moment to relax or simply an enjoyment for the ears and mind. From an early age, music is a form of security and comfort for children. Children are often seen making up songs and singing to themselves as they play.

Bright Horizon and Lucas (2013), have highlighted another wonderful example which showcases how music affects us. Very often, people have difficulty remembering numbers, but are able to remember the lyrics and tune from a song from many years old. In this sense, it is fair to say that music does have a knack for reinforcing our memory in this aspect.

Here’s a list on how music benefits learning (Brewer, 1995)

  • Establishes a positive learning state
  • Creates a desired atmosphere
  • Builds a sense of anticipation
  • Energizes learning activities
  • Changes brain wave states
  • Focuses concentration
  • Increases attention
  • Improves memory
  • Facilitates a multisensory learning experience
  • Releases tension
  • Enhances imagination
  • Aligns groups
  • Develops rapport
  • Provides inspiration and motivation
  • Adds an element of fun
  • Accentuates theme-oriented units

You can read the details here: http://goo.gl/rZEFE8

Different type of music can stimulate different behaviours. Some boost your creativity, some enhances your concentration while other stimulates spatial-reasoning. Here’s an interesting read which highlights how music can affect your learning:

Right Music Can Help Stimulate Learning, Enhance Concentration – The Straits Times

Resources

Cheri Lucas. (2013). Boost Memory and Learning with Music. Retrieved from: http://www.pbs.org/parents/education/music-arts/boost-memory-and-learning-with-music/

Chris Boyd Brewer. (1995). Music and Learning: Integrating Music in the Classroom. Retrieved from:http://education.jhu.edu/PD/newhorizons/strategies/topics/Arts%20in%20Education/brewer.htm

Music and Children: Rhythm Meets Child Development. Bright Horizons. Retrieved from: http://www.divinecaroline.com/life-etc/music-and-children-rhythm-meets-child-development

Stacey Chaloux. Music & Brain Development in Young Children. Demand Media. Retrieved from: http://everydaylife.globalpost.com/music-brain-development-young-children-4365.html

Joyce Teo. (2013). Right music can help to stimulate learning, enhance concentration. Mind Your Body. The Straits Times. Retrieved from: http://yourhealth.asiaone.com/content/right-music-can-help-stimulate-learning-enhance-concentration/page/0/0#sthash.IkmjbuAz.dpuf