Beyond Academics
4/12/2019
"This is our big night. It's time to show off all our hard work!" Our little performers whispered (and shouted) such things as they anxiously awaited their big show on Thursday night. Through my teaching career, I have had the privilege to serve a diverse population of students and families. I have taught in Thailand, Pennsylvania, Arizona, Virginia, and now Alaska. In many of the elementary schools in which I taught, art, music, and physical education programs had been downsized or cut completely. When I found PNA, I was excited about their emphasis on the arts and physical education. We dedicate extensive time to these subjects because they are important. According to multiple studies and sources, art, music, and physical education all increase student academic achievement as well as social and emotional wellbeing. Music specifically, facilitates learning in other subjects and areas and enhances math and language development as well as the overall development of the brain. In an article on pbs.org about the benefits of music instruction, Dr. Eric Rasmussen, chair of the Early Childhood Music Department at the Peabody Preparatory of The Johns Hopkins University says, "There's some good neuroscience research that children involved in music have larger growth of neural activity than people not in music training." The article goes on to say that, in a study, Ellen Winner, professor of psychology, and Gottfried Schlaug, professor of neurology, "found changes in the brain images of children who underwent 15 months of weekly music instruction and practice. The students in the study who received musical instruction had improved sound discrimination and fine motor tasks, and brain imaging showed changes to the networks in the brain associated with those abilities." Increased language development not only helps with reading and writing, but with social-emotional skills as well. The article also quotes Dr. Kyle Pruett, clinical professor of child psychiatry at Yale School of Medicine, who says, "Language competence is at the root of social competence. Musical experience strengthens the capacity to be verbally competent." It is evident that music enhances all areas of a child's growth and development and further enhances our ability to help our students grow into world changers with the ability to express themselves and articulate their ideas. At PNA, music is intertwined with drama and PBL, which culminates in their yearly shows. In addition to all the other benefits of music, this builds confidence. Our students get on stage in front of teachers, parents, and their peers. It is yet another opportunity for our students to find and share their voice in a fun, non-threatening way. I have witnessed shy students transform from standing quietly on stage to belting out the songs and performing the movements with gusto. Furthermore, the shows provide a bonding experience for each class, an opportunity for them to be part of something big and fun and important together. It also provides yet another role for them to try on, that of a performer. Katie treats them like performers and has high expectations for them, which they always meet. Our little ones are so fortunate to be able to participate in such a robust arts program daily. It truly enhances their learning experience as well as their academic and overall growth. Brown, Laura Lewis. "The Benefits of Music Education." PBS Parents: Education, pbs.org, n.d. 12 April 2019. http://www.pbs.org/parents/education/music-arts/the-benefits-of-music-education/.
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Saania AliMs. Ali graduated from the University of Houston with a Bachelors of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies. She specializes in Early Childhood Education, ESL, and Special Education. Her hobbies include traveling, reading, and painting! Archives
April 2021
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