“Nearly 100% of past winners in the prestigious Siemens Westinghouse Competition in Math, Science and Technology (for high school students) play one or more musical instruments. This led the Siemens Foundation to host a recital at Carnegie Hall in 2004, featuring some of these young people, after which a panel of experts debated the nature of the apparent science/music link.”, according to the Midland chemist Vol. 42, No. 1, Feb. 2005.
It is clear that skills learned through the discipline of music, transfer to study skills, communication skills and cognitive skills useful in every part of a schools’ curriculum. Students in high-quality school music programs score higher on standard tests with 22% better in English and 20% better in math.
When is the right time to start children in music lessons? Formalized training should start as young as three. Music is like a language and the best time for that window of opportunity is from 3-10. Group lessons are one of the best ways for young children to learn because they are not only learning from the teacher but also from each other.
In group lessons singing and rhythm ensembles are two of the most effective tools. Singing in a group setting makes them less self-conscious and gives them time to develop their voices. Rhythm ensembles are favourite activities of young children. Rhythm instrument ensembles promote rhythmic fluency and reinforce steady pulse and consistency of speed (tempo). This ensemble training starts in children as young as three-years-old in Music for Young Children® (MYC) using such instruments as hand drums, castanets, tambourines, triangles, rhythm sticks and claves.
“The props are awesome. The kids are having fun while they’re learning. I feel the program moves at a good pace and realize as a parent how important it is that we are there to support them and help them at practise time. I’m able to have two kids in the same program which truly is a benefit. I’d like to really stress that the FUN in MYC makes it so enjoyable for my kids. We happen to also have an exceptional teacher. What an awesome concept Music for Young Children is!” Cheryl Beatty
The successful Music for Young Children program, with corporate head office in Kanata, was founded in 1980 by Frances Balodis. The program, taught in small groups with adult and child both participating, includes piano instruction, singing, rhythm ensembles, sight reading, ear training, theory and composition. MYC is taught by independent teachers throughout Canada, the United States, New Zealand, Singapore and South Korea with approximately 24,000 students enrolled this year.
For more information visit the website www.myc.com.
Registration for September is currently open. Contact your local MYC teachers for a spot for your child now!