The Marvels of Music

By Kurt Goerke

Most parents have heard of the benefits of exposure to classical music for babies’ developing brains. Studies on this subject have been widely publicized. And although the cornerstone study did not involve infants in any way, but instead studied increases in short term memory in college students after exposure to Mozart’s Music, the jump was quickly made to include infants in the perceived benefits of the so called “Mozart Effect.” Although there are no conclusive studies that have been done that find that infants benefit as well, let’s give it the benefit of the doubt. What about other forms of music? Is it just Mozart that can fire up your youngster’s synapses?

Long before these studies of music’s effects on learning, common sense and personal experience told us that music and learning go hand in hand. Many of us who love music would take it a step further and say that music even allows listeners to tap into emotions and feelings that are often other wise inaccessible. Music teachers, teachers, parents and even students can all tell you that music and education make a tremendous team. Let’s face it; some of us would still be learning the ABC’s if they hadn’t been set to music. But it’s not just memorization that we’re talking about when we discuss the benefits of music in learning. Simply, rhythms without lyrics are known to be beneficial to the development of math skills. And there is no doubt about the physical education benefits of music exposure. Music and early dance opportunities often afford a child their first chance at controlled calculated body movement as they try to tie there motions to the beat of a song. How many athletes first started learning body control by stepping to the beat of a marching song or simple dance step?

The Tampa Bay area is fortunate to have three individuals that are recognized nationally for their various endeavors with music and education.

Maryann “Mar” Harman, MA who developed “Music with Mar” has released a staggering 21 CDs of children’s music which vary greatly in musical styles but not in their firm foundation of teaching. With CD titles like Music Makes It Memorable and Jazz Up Your LanguageArts, it is clear that she understands the educational power of music. She has also authored several books, among them, one entitled, And That’s Why Music is Important.

Shana Banana (Shana Smith) is another local gem who has received national awards and acclaim for her wonderful music. She, too, has an outstanding grasp of and background in the educational power of music. She has even developed classroom and home study guides which accompany all of her individual songs and her popular "themed" shows. She holds a Master’s degree in Oceanography and spent her formative years on the grounds of her mother’s daycare. Her Web site is lovingly dedicated to the memory of her father, esteemed scientist Dr. Albert C. Smith (1934 - 2006). Listening to her material, just like Mar, there is no denying that they are gifted musicians, but it is equally clear that within also beats the heart of an educator.

Boca Beth (Beth Butler), another local talent, uses her musical gifts as a way to teach children to be bilingual. She teaches Spanish and English to young children through the use of puppets, music, movement and creativity. One thing experts would clearly agree upon is that she is catching them at the right age; multiple studies have shown that young children have the greatest capacity for learning language. How many other types of learning can we say that infants can out perform us in? How often do we miss this window of opportunity? Boca Beth’s work seizes the moment and makes it fun! (Can any of us who have tried to learn a new language as an adult describe the experience as fun?) Aside from the enjoyment, if you want to give your youngster an advantage in the future job markets in Florida; can you think of a better way than raising a bilingual child?

The repetition of language is imperative in learning. Music makes repetition much less painful. We all know words to our favorite songs, and we probably didn’t learn them from one listen. We heard them over and over again because we enjoyed the music. Do you think we would be able to recite all of the words to or our favorite Bob Dylan or Rap song if they had just been poems that we were assigned to memorize in high school? And could we still recite them?

And what about our emotional states? Can music truly sooth the savage beast or teach us to alter them? If you doubt the power of music on your emotions, try watching your favorite movie minus the musical score. You’ll swear that you’re watching a different movie with the emotion sucked right out of it! Even stores know this and use the mood altering effects of music to get us to transition from the frustration of the parking lot to a happy shopping experience.

As parents we are wise to recognize the incredible power that music can and will have in our child’s development. We also can give them a lifelong gift by fostering a love of music. And although Mozart may be fine brain food for junior, don’t under estimate the power of the CD Mr. Froggy’s Family by Mar or Shana Banana’s Song in My Pocket CD! You may also find that Boca Beth’s musical language lessons have a far more quantifiable effect as well.