Mozart Effect On Children's Development

Music has been an everyday occurrence for many that can be found in every culture all around the world. There is no doubt that it plays a vital role in society that music has become such a big part of our lives that researchers continue to study how music affects humans, especially in younger individuals such as children. Others had focused on how formal music training impacts various aspects of cognitive development such as perception, memory, and language skills. Some researchers are interested in documenting effects that listening to music may have on children’s development. When considering this topic, the well known “Mozart Effect” comes to mind, referring to claims that listening to Mozart’s music improves cognitive ability in young children.

In, “Doing things with Music,” it states that music is a crucial tool for cultivating and regulating our social life (3). Without music, the many young lives would indeed dramatically change in the ability to sensitively relate to and communicate with others. Especially, when one is playing with a large group of people, it involves teamwork teaching the children that musicians negotiate over how to play a passage, when to play their part, coming to a group decision, disagreeing, and resolving a conflict peacefully, without resorting to bullying, and name-calling. As explained in, “Child Growth and Development Through Music,” it discusses that by having musical training background, experience, and technical insights gained earlier puts the child in a good position for future progress (61). This allows for participation in various musical activities and provide opportunities to discover talent and develop special interests. As well as to encourage the child to branch out to try different activities from the general music programs, such as small ensembles, choruses, orchestras, and bands. In, “Musical Training Offsets Academic Achievement Gaps,” concludes that musical training appears to enhance how children’s nervous systems processes sounds in a busy environment, such as a classroom, or a playground, which can enhance memory and attention spans (29). Not only musical training can help with focusing skills in the classroom, but as well as their communication skills. Where the speaker has receivers uninvited attention, being attentive and being able to comprehend to what is being discussed and responding without diverting the conversation due to distractions. In, “Music and Early Literacy,” Paula Telesco, Associate Professor of Music Theory and Aural Skills, states that participating in music programs can