Why music may be the single most important thing your child can do by Thad Franklin, Music Director
Countless studies tout the benefits of music education. As a music teacher I rarely go a few weeks without someone forwarding an email or article about why music is so important. The most compelling research I’ve seen shows:
- Children who study music tend to have larger vocabularies and more advanced reading and math skills.
- Schools with music programs have an attendance rate of 93.3% compared to 84.9% in schools that do not.
- Students who take part in extended music classes report higher satisfaction at school in almost every area, even those not related to music.
- Music training in childhood fundamentally alters the brain and those neural changes persist in adulthood after music training has ceased.
- Young children who take music lessons show different brain development and improved memory over the course of a year.
- Music training not only helps children develop fine motor skills, but aids emotional and behavioral maturation.
- Children who study a musical instrument are more likely to excel in all of their studies, work better in teams, have enhanced critical thinking skills, stay in school, and pursue further education.
- The skills gained through sequential music instruction, including discipline and the ability to analyze, solve problems, communicate and work cooperatively, are vital for success in the 21st century workplace.
- Musicians have a thicker corpus callosum which is the bridge between the two hemispheres of the brain. This allows information to move faster and in more diverse ways throughout the brain.
The research is clear. Music education is crucial to developing a well-rounded student who is capable of navigating the complexities of modern life. But why is this the case? As it turns out, playing a musical instrument involves more parts of the brain simultaneously than any other activity. Yes, music uses more parts of the brain than math, reading, science, art, sports, or literally any other subject or activity you can think of.
Here’s why: in order to read music and play their instruments, musicians simultaneously access parts of their brain that use vision, logic, memory, fine motor skills, as well as primary and secondary auditory skills. Musicians also craft their art form around emotional content which means not only are they using a vast amount of brain power to execute the music correctly, they are also feeling emotions while all this is going on. For more information on cognitive neuroscience in music please visit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cognitive_neuroscience_of_music.
Calendar of Events – Click Here
Wed. 2/7: 8:40 AM Chapel led by Mr. Kopecky / 6:00 PM PTH Meeting
Thurs. 2/8: Spirit Day – Age Swap*
Fri. 2/9: 2nd Half Hot Lunch Orders Due / Spirit Day – Wacky Tacky*
Mon. 2/12: Spirit Day – Pajama Day*
Tues. 2/13: Spirit Day – Backward Day*
Wed. 2/14: Spirit Day – Blue & Gold* / 8:40 AM Chapel led by Pastor Peter – Ash Wednesday / 11:00 AM PEP Assembly at Seattle Lutheran Gym
*A reminder for our K-8 grade students that regular school uniform is to be worn if you do not participate in spirit days.
Feb. 15 & 16 – No School – LEST/Mid-Winter Break / ESC “XTRA” & Regular Open
Feb. 19 & 20 – No School & ESC Closed – Mid-Winter Break
PTH General Meeting – February 7 @ 6:00 PM
Come join your PTH Board and learn of the exciting things planned for the 2nd trimester and beyond, upcoming PIP opportunities, and more! The meeting will begin promptly at 6:00 pm in the Church Commons followed by dessert (please bring your favorite dessert to share) & social time after our meeting. For those with younger children, childcare will be available from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Street side parking may be available as well as in the lot just southwest of the school on 42nd Ave. SW and Oregon.
PTH PIP Opportunities – visit signupgenius.com and search by pth@hopeseattle.org
We have the following opportunities: Hopecoming Auction Planning help- still lots to do, Midwinter Dance, Co-Lead a Parents Night Out/Movie Night. Also, your PTH Board is anticipating vacancies for the following positions for the 2018/2019 school year: President, Member-at-Large.
Before & After School Clubs – Click Here
New Coding with Kids class and you can still register here: www.codingwithkids.com/session/4983
Auction News & Opportunities – Click Here – Next Meeting Feb. 12 @ 6:00 PM
Earn your PIP hours and help make our auction a success. There are different strokes for different folks! Take on a small task and earn PIP from home. Learn more about any of these volunteer opportunities. Contact Heather Paar, heatherpaar@yahoo.com, 206-300-5233.
WA D.C. Teriyaki & Pizza Hot Lunch Program – 2nd Half of School Year Orders Due Friday, Feb. 9
There is still time to sign up for the 2nd half of the school year for either pizza or burrito or both for your child to enjoy on Monday’s and Friday’s. Order forms can be found on our website under “Parents” link here. Order forms are due THIS Friday, February 9th and please note we are unable to process late orders. Contact Sally Heit at 206-935-8500 or mailto:sheit@hopeseattle.orgwith questions.
Church News & Activities – Click Here
Alpha Is Coming on Sunday evenings beginning February 18! Alpha is an eleven week course designed for Christians and those who may be interested in Christianity. Do you know someone who would benefit from a non-threatening look at our Christian Faith? Contact John and Marci Reschar at jreschar@hopeseattle.org.
