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PHOTO: K. RAMESH BABU

THE FUN FACTORChildren should enjoy playing musical instruments

Not only does it soothe the savage beast, but music also makes unruly children calmer while at the same time honing their facilities for cognitive skills and physical coordination, according to a leading expert.

A mother’s soft lullaby, granddad’s whistling or granny’s humming in the kitchen or the dulcet tones of father singing in the shower - all of these seemingly innocuous musical activities serve to help an infant not only in acquiring linguistic skills, but also in learning how human beings interact on a social level.

“Experiments have shown that unborn babies in the womb appear to relax in response to certain music and also that they seem to recognise this music after birth,” says Professor Michael Schulte-Markwort, head of child psychology at Hamburg’s University Hospital in Germany.

“From the outset, music helps the language centres in the brain to develop so that children who have been exposed to music at an early age tend to learn to speak earlier than those who are born into non-musical homes,” he says. “Music also helps in the development of motor skills while at the same time reducing tension,” says Dr. Schulte-Markwort.

“Learning the tunes and lyrics to songs also aids in developing memory skills for other tasks,” he adds. Rhythm and dancing also train young muscles in coordination so that musical children are healthier and better coordinated than children whose parents never teach them to sing and dance and play a simple drum or other instrument.

“Children develop a feel for musical tones and associate certain tone patterns with certain rhythms,” he points out.

Age five or six is ideal for teaching children to play a musical instrument because their minds are most receptive to learning the skills involved.

“We’re not talking about the violin or bassoon, which involve very fine motor skills, and we are also not talking about tedious piano lessons which bore young minds.

But instead we are talking about simple flutes and other instruments which produce a melodic sound easily and enjoyably,” he says.

“It is important to remember the fun factor. Singing, dancing and playing musical instruments must first and foremost be fun for children,” he stresses.

— DPA

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