If you are a parent of young children, you must support music education in schools. Music is one of the most beautiful things in the world, and we should not deny the importance of learning it. However, music education in schools is often considered a difficult subject, and in some cases, boring and dry. To make things better, you can support music education in schools by following a few simple steps. In this article, you will discover why parents should support music education in schools and how you can promote it among parents.
Supporting music education in schools
Despite the fact that many parents and educators believe that music isn’t necessary to raise student achievement, there is good evidence to support music education in schools. The benefits of music education include improved wellbeing, academic performance, and school culture. When students experience the joy of music, they become more likely to engage with other school activities. Furthermore, a music program may help prevent lower grades, which can reduce school administrators’ budget pressures.
Research shows that musical training improves children’s cognitive development, particularly around language. No other activity links all of the parts of the brain together like music does. The benefits of musical training are obvious, but they only come if children engage in regular, sequential music learning. There are many other benefits of music education, but there are several that should be considered. Listed below are some of the most compelling reasons to support music education in schools.
Benefits of music education in schools
Early exposure to music accelerates brain development and enhances memory. Young children learn language by mimicking the tone, pitch, and rhythm of songs. Additionally, music training develops the part of the brain responsible for language processing. Moreover, studies have shown that musical training boosts IQ. The benefits of music education in schools are numerous. But how do these benefits translate to better school performance? The answer may surprise you! Read on to find out more about the benefits of music education in schools.
One of the most obvious benefit of music education in schools is the development of children’s creativity. The benefits of music education go beyond mere boosting a child’s self-esteem. They teach children to respect the process of learning and to appreciate different aspects of music. In addition to improving their self-confidence, children also learn to deal with criticism, which helps them develop confidence. The process of learning music teaches them to improve and take criticism in stride, which is crucial in school.
Model music curriculum
The Model Music Education Curriculum for Schools outlines a broad, yet balanced approach to teaching music. The curriculum promotes music appreciation, develops reading and writing skills, and encourages students to learn about world-renowned pieces. Its approach to music education is non-statutory, and includes a range of activities, including singing, instruments, and musical ensembles. Many MTA members have contributed to its development, as well as serving on the Expert Panel.
A major weakness of the MMC is the lack of rigour across the different areas of learning. This makes it difficult for non-specialists to understand exactly what a student should learn in these areas. The listening area, for example, lacks clear rigour and is unclear whether it is a simple activity or one that leads to rigorous understanding of musical elements. The composing area also lacks clarity, with suggestions that students respond to visual symbols for crescendo and decrescendo. In Year 3 high/low is already introduced.
Reaching out to parents to promote music education
Whether you’re a local educator trying to raise awareness about music education in your community or a state-level advocate, reaching out to parents is a valuable resource. Parents are a great resource for advocacy because they see the benefits of music education in schools and understand the value of this subject for their children. Moreover, parents know the value of music and can connect with musicians and school administrators to promote music education in schools.
The research conducted to help educators promote music in schools shows that students in schools with music programs attend class more than those with no such programs. Additionally, students who attend music programs do better on standardized tests than those who do not. These results are independent of socioeconomic status. Among children from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, more than half of students with music programs scored higher on standardized tests than those without them.