Re: learning and child training

Prepping to homeschool #2

November 8, 2012

We all know there are countless benefits to early musical training. I recently read a very good article on the benefits of music education for children. I didn’t need any convincing, by the way; the article spelled out 12 reasons why a child should learn music at an early age. I was doing more of a mental checklist to see if I displayed any of those traits mentioned (spatial intelligence, reasoning ability, language proficiency, creativity, teamwork skills and discipline, just to name a few), since my parents also put me through some form of a music education when I was four. After reading that list, I didn’t feel that I was a good representation of someone having been put through classical piano training, because, seriously – spatial intelligence? creativity? logical reasoning ability – are you kiddin’ me? me? But that will be for another post another time.

Nevertheless, research has shown that a little music training, even if it’s for a few years, goes a long way in improving the adult brain when it comes to listening and processing complex sounds. According to a study, short-term music lessons may enhance lifelong listening and learning. Other studies also prove that listening and playing music benefits many areas of the brain at the same time. Music is able to activate the cerebellum, a brain area traditionally thought to coordinate only fine movement or motor behavior, in a very powerful way. Learning music has also been proven to help children mathematically and linguistically.

So we’re going to try to teach Ben and Becks some basics in understanding notation, scales, chords and keys since fatherkao can play the guitar and the organ, and I can still recall some things I learned from classical piano training. A good friend of ours recently picked up the ukelele and bought Ben one for his third birthday and now fatherkao is frantically learning how to play some simple tunes from Youtube to teach Ben. I recently chanced upon this website that provides free resources for teaching simple notation using worksheets and games. Let’s see if we can get a simple tune out on the keyboard and ukelele by Christmas next year.

The plan is to teach Ben the ukelele and get Becks to hold the case and send them busking away!

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8 Comments

  • Reply Seka November 18, 2012 at 6:53 AM

    Sounds like one wonderful posivite has been lots of boy time together. Personally, I’m not a fan of anything intensive when it comes to kids particularly, so your journey is interesting to me as someone who does things completely differently. We have 2 girls (which I guess would be different), and still had lots of little wees in the toilet, on the carpet and on the tiles, but I kept towels and wipes handy, which helped. For us, also just going nappy/underpants free (saved on washing heaps) also helped. It just takes time. <3

  • Reply zhenyi November 8, 2012 at 5:54 AM

    your kids are so handsome and pretty i’ll gladly drop money into the hat even if they don’t play a tune! 🙂

    • Reply MotherKao November 8, 2012 at 7:00 AM

      Ms H! I’ll hold you to your word – I’ll send them trick or treating your way in Oct and make them sing you a carol in December – be generous ok! 🙂 haha

      • Reply zhenyi November 10, 2012 at 2:20 PM

        SURE!! 🙂 i’m gonna try to catch up with you and your babies soon!!! they are growing up so fast. the last i saw them was in April and i have not met Nat. imagine that! 🙁

  • Reply Adora November 8, 2012 at 4:00 AM

    We recently placed an order for a ukelele for poppy op! Hubs can play the guitar so it’s his duty to teach her. Maybe our kids can street perform together by next Christmas and we can retire on their earnings lol

    • Reply MotherKao November 8, 2012 at 7:01 AM

      Ok, let’s start planning: Poppy and Ben can do a duet and Calla, Becks and Nat can hang around with their big doleful eyes. Sounds like a plan? Yay. 🙂

  • Reply Jacqeline November 8, 2012 at 2:54 AM

    Wow, I have never thought of teaching music on my own. Way to go! Please post up on the progress, I’m thinking of introducing my son to Ukelele next year when he turn 3. Thanks!

    • Reply MotherKao November 8, 2012 at 7:02 AM

      Haha. I will update on progress next year when I stay home with them. Haha. 🙂

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