What are the advantages and disadvantages of a musical education ...

Many people believe that if you are going to be a creative person that you will be born with
those underlying talents, but perhaps creativity could be planted in all children if introduced
at an early age. ‘Perhaps more families could be musical, artistic, scientifically and
humanistically creative, given more help in knowing how to encourage it’ (Bruce, 2004, P.2).
Music is based around structure and pattern and although babies may not understand the
words you are saying, they can recognise the emotion in the tone and sounds of the words.
Music is an activity that stimulates both sides of a baby’s brain. It stimulates the creative side
of the brain while at the same time stimulating the logical side of the brain.
‘Music stimulates areas of a child’s brain that other mental and physical activity will not,
and it will make a lasting impression’ (Metzger, 2009).
It is more effective to sing to a baby than it is to talk. Rocking a baby while singing to them
is very important; it helps to develop the inner ear and balance. Rocking is also a very
relaxing and comfortable motion for a baby. ‘The earlier a child studies music, the more
rhythmic integration, movement, and learning about proportions in time space perception,
strengthens the young brain’ (Campbell, 2000). Introducing music to a baby helps them to
become aware and develop their senses. It can also help development in areas such as
movement, language, co-ordination, and listening skills. Music plays a huge part in the
relationship between parent and child, can help to develop social interaction and can have a
huge role in building a strong bond between parent and baby. Raimond Lap, the creator of
‘Lovely Baby’, a music program for babies and families, talks about how introducing music
at a young age helps to give children a good start in life:
‘Music can transfer a musical language containing all kinds of emotional and educational
messages, which can be understood unconsciously by all babies. By presenting your baby the
right mix of styles, melody, harmony and rhythm, the brain is stimulated into creating more
connections, providing your baby a head start in life in various ways’ (2002).
A child would not be able to sing without first learning to listen; this is why it is important to
introduce stimulating music at an early age. It is between the ages of 18 months to 3 years
that a child can start learning to sing, although it is important to remember that all children
are different and will therefore develop in different ways. It is vital to introduce good music
to young children as this gives them more opportunities to explore their own voice and
musical abilities. Raimond Lap describes what qualifies as good music for babies:
Music Education in Regard to Children CM6002 Emily McGregor 163930
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