Music as education can offer lessons that cannot be found in a textbook. Music as education provides both cognitive and creative personal growth for all learners. By engaging in musical activities, all students can benefit from the numerous pedagogical possibilities it presents, such as improving problem-solving abilities, practical senses like timing and balance, memory function, connection to emotion and personal history, as well as appreciation of music as an art form.
Music offers benefits unlike any other educational opportunity available today such as:
- helping to improve academic performance
- developing problem solving and critical thinking skills
- improving self-esteem and boosting confidence
- encouraging the use of imagination and creativity
- helping to develop cultural understanding
Read on to find out how each of these can help your music students.
If you are looking for some ways to spice up your own music curriculum, then why not grab yourself a FREE copy of the 5 Ways to Makeover Your Music Curriculum. Click here to find out more.
Music as Education Improves Academic Performance
Research has shown that when music is included in the education of a student that it helps to improve the cognitive ability of the student, which in turn helps them to perform better academically. A study conducted by Stanford University found that students with higher levels of musical engagement achieved higher scores on math tests than their counterparts who had lower levels of musical engagement.
Music as education also benefits the young mind by stimulating both sides of the brain at once while participating in the performance of an instrument. This is achieved because as a student is both reading the music and playing it on an instrument, both the left and right hemisphere of the brain is used to process this information. You can read more about this research here.
Music as Education Improves Problem Solving & Critical Thinking Skills
Another benefit of music as education is the development and use of problem solving and critical thinking skills in the act of music making. When a music student is working through a difficult passage or challenging piece, this requires students to think critically about what they are doing and come up with solutions on the spot when they encounter problems while playing, singing, creating, or responding to music. This helps the music student to develop problem solving skills which will be beneficial throughout their lives both inside and outside of school settings.
Improving problem solving and critical thinking skills can also be done through making music, whether by performance or composition as part of a small group or ensemble. When working in this situation, other problem solving skills are needed as students work through problems that are brought about through the performance or composition. Problems such as working together to keep in time with one another, critically analysing the sounds created with the combination of instruments and chord patterns, or even just working through the problems that arise when working with other personalities and opinions. The development of both problem solving and critical thinking skills is highly valued in today’s workforce, and the music student will be at an advantage thanks to their participation in music education.
One more way that a music student can develop their critical thinking skills is through the listening and analysing of music using the Elements of Music. When a music student is given the tools and music terminology to study and evaluate how an Element of Music is used in a piece of music, they are required to use their analytical and critical thinking skills. If you would like to know more about the 8 Elements of Music, read the blog posts here.
Music Education Boosts Self-Esteem and Confidence
Another benefit of music as education is learning how to master an instrument or sing. When students are given the opportunity to perform, they get a sense of accomplishment that can boost their self-esteem and confidence. This increase in confidence can have a positive effect on other areas of life, including schoolwork and social interactions with peers.
Learning an instrument often requires students to devote time each day practicing – this also helps to build discipline as well as confidence in their abilities when they master a new song or technique after hard work and dedication. This confidence booster can be increased further when the music students perform as part of either a small or larger ensemble such as band, orchestra, or choir. The boost to a music students’ self-esteem and confidence is helped with positive reinforcement when they accomplish something challenging or difficult as part of a larger group. Students become proud of their accomplishments which leads them to strive further towards bigger goals – this is especially true when it comes to mastering complex pieces on their instruments! Additionally, working towards something challenging builds patience and perseverance which are important qualities for success both inside and outside of school environments!
Music Education Improves Creativity and Imagination
Music as education naturally allows for creative expression and exploration. Through music, students can express themselves in unique ways that cannot be done through other activities. This can help them to develop their imagination and foster creative thinking. When you give a student the chance to explore music making through playing an instrument or composing, you are providing them with the opportunity to use all their creativity and imagination skills in a hands on and practical way.
Another way that students can develop their imagination and creativity in music is through listening to a wide variety of music. Simply by asking students to listen to a piece of music, and letting their imagination run with their creative thoughts, students can interpret the story of what the music is trying to convey.
Music as education is an invaluable tool for all students, as it encourages them to think creatively and use their imagination. With the help of music teachers, music students can explore a range of musical techniques in the classroom setting, engaging with sound in a hands-on way. Music lessons provide an outlet for students to express themselves and gain new skills that they can use to develop their creativity, while encouraging collaborations with peers they may not usually interact with. From writing lyrics to understanding score composition, music classrooms are important places where kids can foster their creative sensibilities and broaden their conception of the world around them.
Music Education Improves Cultural Understanding
Music as education is the perfect vehicle for learning about different genres of music from around the world. Music lessons that include music from all over the globe provides students with valuable cultural knowledge that can help them understand different societies better as well as appreciate different musical styles from other cultures that may differ from their own.
Music is universal; it transcends language barriers, races, ages, and gender differences. By exposing music students to different types of music from around the world, they are able to gain an understanding of different cultures that will stay with them throughout their lives. This understanding can lead to greater empathy and appreciation for people who may be different than themselves.
Music as education is an important part of curriculums in schools across the world, as it provides young minds with multiple benefits that are not always gained by other subjects studied at school. Music in education encourages imagination, creativity, and experimentation through collaboration and individual growth in producing beautiful pieces of art. Music also helps to instil discipline in an interesting way that can be utilized across other curricular areas, such as memorization and practice, critical thinking skills and problem-solving. Finally, music has a powerful impact on self-esteem and confidence. Music classrooms are special places of learning and growth; they offer an atmosphere of creativity and connection that draws out the best in students. Whether it’s joining a chorus, mastering an instrument, or giving voice to their own musical compositions, music students flourish under the guidance of music teachers who understand the benefits of music as education. Through music lessons, these students learn to believe in their talents and foster skills that will last long beyond their time in the music classroom.
Until next time
Happy Teaching
Julia from Jooya
2 Responses