| Numerous studies indicate that learning to play the | | | | music and arts education. Fortunately, while all this |
| piano as a preschooler sets a child up for later | | | | is happening, several studies by experts in the |
| academic success. But tell that to most parents | | | | field are demonstrating that studying the arts - |
| or grandparents of energetic preschoolers and | | | | particularly music - can actually help develop skills |
| they'll wonder how they could get their children to | | | | necessary when learning about computers. |
| sit still long enough to play an entire song. The | | | | The world's top academic countries place a high |
| research clearly shows that preschoolers who are | | | | value on music education. Hungary, Netherlands |
| exposed to early piano/keyboard lessons have an | | | | and Japan stand atop worldwide science |
| advantage in school. The trick is to find a method | | | | achievement and have a strong commitment to |
| that is engaging and fun enough to motivate | | | | music education. Building upon the pioneering work |
| young children to learn, but teaches them to read | | | | of Dr. Rauscher and Dr. Shaw, a recent study at |
| and play real music. | | | | the University of Munster in Germany revealed |
| There are certain periods of time, known as | | | | that practicing the piano in early childhood expands |
| windows of opportunity, in a child's brain | | | | the mind, literally altering the anatomy of the |
| development when it is especially open to certain | | | | brain. |
| kinds of learning. As children discover the joys of | | | | Even though a parent or grandparent may |
| piano, brain cells (neurons) are connecting to form | | | | understand the benefits of early piano/keyboard |
| the types of complex thought pattern necessary | | | | instruction, the search for a method that is fun |
| to excel in math and science. But, from about age | | | | and easy can be a daunting task. Fortunately, |
| 5, neurons not connected into the brain's overall | | | | there are several programs for parents or |
| wiring begin fading away - and so does the | | | | grandparents to choose from. Depending on their |
| opportunity for intelligence in that area of the | | | | individual situation, a parent or grandparent may |
| brain. | | | | choose to attend group lessons with their child or |
| Because neural connections are responsible for all | | | | even teach their preschooler at home using one |
| types of intelligence, a child's brain develops to its | | | | of the available methods. |
| full potential only with exposure to the necessary | | | | Kindermusik classes offer kids an opportunity for |
| enriching experiences in early childhood. Dr. | | | | singing, moving and playing simple rhythm |
| Frances Rauscher of the University of Wisconsin | | | | instruments ideally with about eight children, each |
| and Dr. Gordon Shaw of the University of | | | | accompanied by a parent ( At age 4 ½, |
| California have studied the connection between | | | | Kindermusik students start a music appreciation |
| musical and nonmusical training on preschoolers' | | | | class that teaches them about music from around |
| intellectual development for many years. Their | | | | the world. The children apply their musical literacy |
| studies indicate that music training generates the | | | | to pre-keyboard instruments. These children can |
| neural connections used for abstract reasoning, | | | | then move on to piano lessons with a private |
| including those necessary for understanding | | | | instructor. |
| mathematical concepts. | | | | Another program called Pace uses an oversized |
| In one study, Dr. Rauscher and Dr. Shaw | | | | keyboard mat that is placed on the floor. |
| compared the effects of musical and nonmusical | | | | Instructors point to the white keys and black |
| training on preschoolers' intellectual developments. | | | | keys as children take turns at the piano. Rhythms |
| They found that preschoolers who received piano | | | | are played as a group with rhythm sticks, and |
| or keyboard training performed 34% higher on | | | | written note rhythms are read. |
| tests measuring spatial-temporal ability than did | | | | There are several programs available that allow |
| other preschoolers. Those who received piano or | | | | parents to teach their preschoolers beginning piano |
| keyboard training could think in pictures and see | | | | at home. Local music stores have several series |
| the pictures moving or changing shape over time | | | | of early piano books that are designed for early |
| - a crucial skill for later success in mathematics, | | | | instruction. For instance, Music for Little Mozarts |
| science and engineering. | | | | uses fun cartoon characters to teach young |
| Researchers at the University of California | | | | children to play the piano or keyboard. |
| observed two separate groups of preschoolers. | | | | More recently, programs such as Piano for |
| Group one took piano lessons and sang daily in a | | | | Preschoolers have become available ( This |
| chorus. Group two did neither. After a period of | | | | particular program allows parents without any |
| eight months the musical three-year-olds in group | | | | musical background to teach their preschoolers to |
| one were expert puzzle masters scoring 80% | | | | play the piano at home. This method uses |
| higher than their playmates in spatial intelligence. | | | | color-coded notes written on a traditional musical |
| A research team exploring the link between music | | | | staff to teach beginning piano concepts. |
| and intelligence reported that music training is far | | | | Preschoolers can begin their study as soon as |
| superior to computer instruction in enhancing | | | | they recognize their colors. |
| children's abstract reasoning skills. Music training | | | | Regardless of the method a parent or |
| jump-starts certain inherent patterns in parts of | | | | grandparent chooses, the benefits of early piano |
| the brain responsible for such reasoning. Computer | | | | keyboard instruction are clear. Children who begin |
| lessons do not force children to think ahead or | | | | music instruction as a preschooler are developing |
| visualize, as they must when playing a piece of | | | | their natural musicality and this love of music can |
| music. With the rise of the Internet and the | | | | last a lifetime. The times spent with a caring |
| proliferation of high-tech jobs that require | | | | parent or grandparent sharing their talents are |
| computer skills, there seems to be less interest in | | | | just an added bonus. |