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Does participating in band significantly aid in the development of children?
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| Yes | 65% | 32 votes | Total: 49 votes | |
| No | 35% | 17 votes |
Yes
by Lolito Tampus
Created on: September 17, 2010
The children's participation in band is one of the many avenues to continue learning outside of the classroom setting. It empowers children to make their own decisions and gain vital crafts and experiences. Children can learn important life skills such as teamwork, integrity, compassion for others and commitment to perform assigned tasks. Aside from developing leadership, and followership traits, there is the development of characters like responsibility, friendship, problem solving and communication dexterity. Talents are discovered and honed, to become the springboard for exploring career options, which are beneficial for college applications and future livelihood. If religiously implemented and labored, participation in band can greatly supplement aims for the children's total development.
Intellectually, band participation needs deeper understanding of music and the exact manipulation of instruments and production of vocals. There are regiments to know musical signs and symbols, lyricism and song writing. Socially, a member should be able to adjust to the varying styles and characteristics of of other members as well as the reception of the listening public. Psychologically, the activity is ego-boosting since talents are recognized and appreciated. Morally, every upright member strives to preserve their integrity or image. This includes beauty, grace and charisma of the performers and the type and manner of music being rendered. Professionally, it can be an opportunity for college life, and stardom in the outside world of music. As a payback, the band members can be the ambassadors of goodwill of their respective families in particular, and the entire academic community in general.
The band, as we all know, connotes group of musicians organized for playing together. It requires teamwork, creativity and camaraderie. It assumes to adhere similar range of musical and behavioral wavelengths, not only during rehearsals and presentations, but also in real life. The unity should be consistent and persevering, in order to achieve a common purpose of showing splendid repertoires. If one fails, everybody falters too. Therefore, discipline is a must.
The most significant aid in child development is the possession of sound values. There is commitment, loyalty and endurance. No detours, no attitudinal change and no excesses. No drugs, no wanton sex and alcohol. There is the eagerness to create and produce wholesome musicsans yelling, foul language and inappropriate gestures. There is no much of fanfares but only humility and propriety to entertain, and to send morally-coated messages like love, peace, hope, patriotism and other virtues.
With the guiding support of parents, teachers and the school administration, the children can give periodic performances through school programs, community outreach, fund raising, tours and other activities. They are the means of cheering and appreciating exhibitions well as lifting the spirits of the member who volunteered to give their time, talent and effort. With the constant exposures, we can give birth to a new generation of Michael Jackson, The Beatles, Jersey Boys, Jonas Brothers, Chris Daughtry, Justin Beiber and the American Idols.
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No
by Amy Bray
Created on: January 13, 2011 Last Updated: January 14, 2011
It is true that participation in musical venues are said to enhance brain development and growth. However, mere participation in band is not enough to significantly enhance development and growth in a child's brain.
It is proven that a number of dynamics influence the development of a child's brain. This includes nutrition, environment, hygiene, and in recent years, safe dosages of DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid) in late pregnancy as well as up to children of five years old.
The cerebral cortex is the layer of tissue in the brain in which most of a person's information processing takes place. It is sometimes referred to as "grey matter”, is divided into two hemispheres: right and left and is made up of about two-thirds of the entire brain. The cerebral cortex is where the highly developed portions of the brain used for cognitive functioning is located. Synapses are the connections between each neuron in which information passes to the next neuron. This information enables the ability for thought, understanding, producing and interpreting language.
At the age of two years, children’s cerebral cortex is made up of more than one hundred trillion synapses. This remarkable level of synaptic abundance remains throughout mid-childhood, which is considered between the ages of four and eight ears of age (Anonymous, 2011). After mid-childhood and throughout adolescence, the level of synaptic activity decreases to the normal adulthood levels.
In most cases, children are not exposed to band until the age of 11 years. This is when it is believed most children are coordinated and have developed enough patience in order to learn how to play an instrument. As you can see, however, this is past the abundant synaptic activity in which extensive brain development occurs.
It is important to expose babies, toddlers and young children to music, language and other educational endeavors before the age of 8. This is the time when children learn the most, and can retain knowledge best. Activities such as singing, playing, American Sign Language, talking, reading, and even playing with musical instruments before the age of eight will significantly increase the development of a child’s brain. Also, proper nutrition and a healthy, stable environment are key to cognitive development and growth in infants and young children. Encouraging the learning of a new language before the age of eight will increase the chance that children will retain the knowledge and can potentially help them when they enroll in a language course or program.
References:
Anonymous. (2011).Early Brain Development. Zero to Three: National Center for Infants, Toddlers and Families. Retrieved on January 13, 2011 from:
http://main.zerototh ree.org/site/PageSer ver?pagename=ter_key _brainFAQ
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