Power of Music

“If I were not a physicist, I would probably be a musician. I often think in music. I live my daydreams in music. I see my life in terms of music” – Albert Einstein

Since nearly the beginning of time, music has been used as a force for healing. Aristotle taught that “When we hear music our very souls are altered.” 

Classical music has a powerful effect on our inner emotions. A gentle lullaby can soothe a fussy baby. A majestic chorus can make us swell with excitement. Moreover, music can also affect the way we think….

In recent years, researchers have learned so much about how the human brain develops, grows and matures. Our babies are born with billions of brain cells, known as neurons. During the first years of life, those neurons form connections with other neighboring neurons. Over time, the connections our brains use regularly become stronger.

Children who grow up listening to music, especially when they are exposed to classical music, develop strong music-related connections in the brain. Some of these music pathways actually affect the way they/we think. Listening to classical music seems to improve our spatial reasoning, even if it is only for a short period of time. And, learning to play an instrument may have an even longer effect on certain thinking skills. Researchers think the complexity of classical music is what primes the brain to solve spatial problems more quickly. 

At Little Harvard, we are proud of our My Mozart program which ensures children are exposed to the benefits of listening to classical music. Whether it be Beethoven, Mozart or Bach, our students are sparked by the joy music brings, creating pleasure by playing with their expectations and engaging their brain’s predictive powers. As they listen to a soothing piece of music, not only are their little brains following the melody, harmony and rhythm but rather, it is constantly predicting where the music will go next. When their expectations are met, they feel a moment of delight. When expectations are not met, they may also feel delighted — an element of surprise or appreciation for the unexpected.

Playing classical music to children boosts their concentration and self-discipline, according to one major study. It improves their general listening and social skills. Children exposed to the works of these classical composers are more likely to appreciate a wider range of music in later years.

Perhaps the most important aspect of using music to enhance development is that it provides children with sustained, focused attention from adults. During our specialized My Mozart lesson times children are not left to simply listen to the music playing in the background. Interaction is crucial. Engagement with music can better a child’s self-perception only if it provides a positive, rewarding learning experience. 

The effects of these melodic musical experiences can last a lifetime. It’s worth the investment and is at the heart of why we incorporate it into each week of our academic offering at Little Harvard Preschool.