For Parents

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A Parent’s Guide for The Young Musician’s Practice Experience
“Mom, how do I play a G#?”
by Marc Whitlock

This Guide can assist band directors in their discussions with parents regarding the successful and accountable time and efforts of their child when practicing the instrument at home. These steps will also show the child that their parents care about their musical education, that practicing is not a pain or  burden to others, and that this investment of time and preparation to ensure the child’s success will mean a lot to the child in the long run.

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Dedham School of Music – An Age-by-Age Guide to Music Education
By Gabriella Sanna
Wicked Local Dedham

The benefits of playing musical instruments are proven and plentiful. Children and young adults who are exposed to music training tend to do better academically, especially in math, and engage in less risky behaviors, such as drinking alcohol.  Learning a musical instrument teaches kids how to think and act creatively while persevering with a task that is difficult and requires constant practice, helping them to gain self-esteem once they master it. And playing with a band or orchestra teaches the value of teamwork. But what is the right age to begin playing? If you wait too long, do you miss a golden opportunity? The good news is, there is no magical age, and parents can do much to foster music appreciation, even if they never picked up instruments as children.

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How Arts Training Improves Attention and Cognition
By Michael I. Posner, Ph.D., and Brenda Patoine

Does education in the arts transfer to seemingly unrelated cognitive abilities?  Researchers are finding  evidence that it does. Michael Posner argues that when children find an art form that sustains their  interest, the subsequent strengthening of their brains’ attention networks can improve cognition more broadly.

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Insights Gained Into Arts and Smarts
By Debra Viadero

Findings released this week from three years of studies by neuroscientists and psychologists at seven universities help amplify scientists’ understanding of how training in the arts might contribute to improving the general thinking skills of children and adults.

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Nurturing Child Development
Edmonton Journal

Kindermusik is a child-centered program that focuses on whole-child development through music and movement.

Kindermusik offers unique curricula for early childhood learning and enrichment that is based upon developmentally appropriate methods. Whether listening, moving, vocalizing, enjoying an ensemble, playing an instrument, creating or reading music, the focus is on process, not performance.  Kindermusik is geared to the specific developmental stages of children ages newborn through seven years to help them grow musically, cognitively, socially and physically.