Do you remember how you first learned the alphabet? I am quite sure that the majority of us learnt it by singing the ABC Song: 'ABCDEFG-HIJKLMNOP-QRS-TUV-WXY-and-Z...'
There is no doubt that music and songs are one of the best means to teach children new information and knowledge. And over the last 25 years, many researches and studies have been done to find out how music influences our brain and how we can use music to help us learn faster and more effectively. And it has been found that our brain is most open and receptive to incoming information when it is in a special state of relaxation.
That type of relaxation is not to get you into sleep. It's a state of relaxed alertness - what we sometimes call relaxed awareness. For those who learn relaxation techniques such as Yoga, you know it is the state when our brain is at Alpha.
The study of super-memory and the brain started back in the 1950's by a Bulgarian psychiatrist and educator, George Lozanov. After years of research, he concluded that we all have an 'optimum learning state'. This occurs, he said "when heart-beat, breath-rate and brain-waves are smoothly synchronized and the body is relaxed but the mind concentrated and ready to receive new information."
Lozanov put his research into practice and achieved some amazing results, particularly in foreign-language learning. It was reported that Lozanov had helped Bulgarian students learn 1,200 words in a day, using his method.
Today we know that it is fairly easy for people to achieve that ideal learning state. Deep breathing is one of the first keys. Music is the second.
Music played at different beats and tempos influences our moods differently, and in turn it affects how our mind functions (which determines our actions).
Have you ever noticed how departmental stores use music to sway the mood of their customers within their premise and to regulate the flow of human traffic? During off-peak period, they will play soothing music to help shoppers relax so that they will stay longer in the stores and as a result buy more things. During peak hours when the stores are crowded and they need to get the human traffic to move faster so that more people can come in to the stores, they will play fast and loud music.
Likewise, we can use music to our advantage by helping our children in their learning and enhancing their concentration.
If you would like to put your child in the best state of mind when doing something or learning new skills and knowledge, you can try playing soothing music with a 50 to 70 beats per minute pattern.
The most common music to achieve that state comes from the baroque school of composers, in the 17th and early 18th centuries: the Italian Arcangelo Corelli, the Venician Antonio Vivaldi, the French Francois Coupertin and the Germans, Johann Sebastian Bach and George Frederic Handel.
Some of our favourite music pieces that my wife and I play at home for our children, Ethel and Ethan, when they are at play and learn:
- Vivaldi's Four Seasons - one of the best-known pieces of baroque music that helps you to shut out other thoughts and visualise the seasons of the year
- Handel's Water Music - a deeply soothing piece
- Johann Pachelbel's Canon in D - our favourite to relieve tension
If you have yet to introduce music when educating your child, start using it today; it will put your child in a relaxed, receptive state, helping her focus and learn more effectively.
Article by Alvin Poh, founder of Learning Champ, a parenting wesbite that provides information and resources to parents, who want to help their children develop the important skills and mind set for a brighter future -> http://www.alvinkh.per.sg/learningchamp
recurring maid service Wilmette ..Elana, born in Russia, was told "We really don't know... Read More
The ADD child exhibits a series of behaviors that are... Read More
Self esteem in an important quality for all children to... Read More
Q. We recently caught our son smoking pot, and we... Read More
No matter how old your children are, you have an... Read More
Public education in the United States has never been equal... Read More
Bearers of life, wipers of noses, givers of unconditional love... Read More
Your Virgo Baby..August 23 - September 22Virgo children are honest... Read More
How bad is the illegal drug problem here in the... Read More
"I WON'T DO IT!" "YOU CAN'T MAKE ME!"Whether parent or... Read More
Here are fourteen spontaneous time-outs, specially designed to help you... Read More
When I was pregnant, we knew that we had some... Read More
How would you like to have a closer relationship with... Read More
So, the thing is? I am feeling a little guilty.I... Read More
Does the homework battle so typical with your hyperactive or... Read More
As a mother of two sets of fraternal boy/girl twins,... Read More
Q: My husband and I are at a loss as... Read More
When my firstborn arrived into this serene and peaceful household,... Read More
If you were to ask 100 parents why they think... Read More
Joey steps away from his time out chair "I won't... Read More
You know that children can get into trouble. The older... Read More
Jason Roberts listened to his son's explanation of the missing... Read More
Voices!So many voices crying out for adherence and so many... Read More
Love, love, love. It makes the world go round. It... Read More
Be aware. You may become totally overwhelmed when you get... Read More
last minute cleaning help Highland Park ..Research has shown that the present generation of children worldwide... Read More
There are many useful jogger stroller accessories out on the... Read More
Have you ever watched your teenager make a mistake (that... Read More
"Now don't you go getting any ideas, Harold.""Don't you get... Read More
Your child's teacher says that you need to find out... Read More
Child care costs are are one of the most expensive... Read More
College is one of the largest expenses through the course... Read More
Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes around the brain... Read More
You have two kids who are 14 months apart. How... Read More
Ritalin has been shown through the years to be very... Read More
Ask any teacher or adolescent counselor what the most disturbing... Read More
Discipline is a necessary part of parenting yet it makes... Read More
More and more parents are expressing their concerns about how... Read More
"Becoming a parent can make you a better worker," New... Read More
The subject of competition is one that provokes some pretty... Read More
As a parent, you can learn a lot about your... Read More
Economist John Kenneth Galbraith has said that more people die... Read More
Most of us when asked what we want our children... Read More
There's a new kind of fun and calm out there... Read More
Diagnosing children and teens with ADHD can be a challenge.... Read More
Nanny 911 Interview with Montel WilliamsI saw an interview with... Read More
Recently, a parent came to me, conflicted over whether to... Read More
Public education in the United States has never been equal... Read More
Graphology for Child development.:- Graphology is the science of understanding... Read More
As Mother's Day approaches I would like to give a... Read More
Parenting |