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
efficient cleaning crew Northbrook ..On a bright Sunday morning, a couple of weeks ago,... Read More
Some years ago when touring the Scottish Highlands, a man... Read More
"Becoming a parent can make you a better worker," New... Read More
Something happened the other day that made me feel uneasy.... Read More
There are many useful jogger stroller accessories out on the... Read More
I wanted to share with you one of the most... Read More
Uh oh.Your kids arrive home with their school reports and... Read More
The purpose of this article is to address some of... Read More
We adopted our first child when he was three months... Read More
"Where did he come up with that?" Kids often amaze... Read More
Are you a parent concerned about passing values on to... Read More
Today's dads are more hands-on than ever before and their... Read More
Have you made your usual New Year resolutions? You know... Read More
Q. I don't like my children spending so much time... Read More
Teenagers are a work-in-progress, and parenting teenagers can be tricky... Read More
How often do you think of family life as an... Read More
Are you a frustrated parent who sometimes finds it is... Read More
When a child is born, a new number is added... Read More
Blink. That's all we did, blink, and summer is ending... Read More
In the movie, Finding Nemo, Nemo's father, Marlyn asks the... Read More
Not so long ago a dad-to-be would pace up and... Read More
The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 is making... Read More
Many companies advertise their products as being educational. How much... Read More
So you're going to become a father. Now is not... Read More
What one word best sums up summer fun? Water. I... Read More
cleaning lady near Wilmette ..In seminars I am often asked about pocket-money and whether... Read More
To the untrained eye, it might look like a piece... Read More
We were all teens at one time for some many... Read More
From criticizing a spouse, to claming up about one's own... Read More
What is child sexual abuse? Any sexual activity that is... Read More
In a consumer-driven society that broadcasts values you don't approve... Read More
NY -- Strange as it may sound, bordom promotes happier,... Read More
"All that I am or ever hope to be, I... Read More
Blink. That's all we did, blink, and summer is ending... Read More
When my firstborn arrived into this serene and peaceful household,... Read More
Q. My teenage son is turning 16 early next year... Read More
Last night Tom's daughter, Sue, came out of her room... Read More
LOS ANGELES (May 19, 2005) - With Memorial Day weekend,... Read More
Parents of teenagers frequently ask what can be done to... Read More
Love, love, love. It makes the world go round. It... Read More
This year alone, 1,600 teenagers aged 15 to 19 will... Read More
Everyone needs friends, and, as parents, you and I both... Read More
Homework. It doesn't have to be a daily battle of... Read More
The snow was getting heavier with each lift of the... Read More
"Good parents give their children Roots and Wings." --Jonas SalkThe... Read More
Is it possible to be using our children addictively?Anything that... Read More
So you want to be a mum? Every time you... Read More
Moms, did you ever question your value as a role... Read More
1 "Law of Belonging": The greatest need of teenagers (after... Read More
Prioritize. Learn to say No. Steal some time for yourself.Don't... Read More
Parenting |