Music Education in Schools
Music Education in Schools
Music is an important part of our life. An art, music is its own language; it 's a universal language that anyone can understand. No matter how different music is around the world, it serves a common purpose of bringing people together. Music allows us to express ourselves and exposes our emotions because there is always a song for every situation. Music is an important part of our society today because it tells a story, releases emotion, and breaks down barriers. Most importantly, music is entertaining. Many schools, however, have been forced to drop music programs as a result of budget cuts. Eliminating music programs from school can have a negative effect on our children, immediately and long-term. There are several benefits previous generation of school children have enjoyed with having music programs throughout their early years of education.
As human beings we are first introduced to music before birth. A fetus is exposed to the art of music by hearing the beating of the mother’s heart. Once born, an infant continues to be exposed to music. It is common for parents to sing to their newborn at bedtime. Many toys and televisions programs aimed at infants play music, to which they respond by moving their arms and legs. Once babies start learning their first words many begin to sing phrases of familiar songs, even though they might not know what it means. During this process a child starts to repeat familiar phrases and slowly begins to learn and build vocabulary (Gallien). Even before children have been enrolled in school, they have already had a lot of exposure to music in their lives.
While children have had great exposure to music prior to school, few have learned about the art of music. This is what music programs in school are designed to do. In doing so, kids develop and enhance skills that makes them better students and better individuals in the future. MENC: The National Association for Music Education has a list of
Music is an important part of our life. An art, music is its own language; it 's a universal language that anyone can understand. No matter how different music is around the world, it serves a common purpose of bringing people together. Music allows us to express ourselves and exposes our emotions because there is always a song for every situation. Music is an important part of our society today because it tells a story, releases emotion, and breaks down barriers. Most importantly, music is entertaining. Many schools, however, have been forced to drop music programs as a result of budget cuts. Eliminating music programs from school can have a negative effect on our children, immediately and long-term. There are several benefits previous generation of school children have enjoyed with having music programs throughout their early years of education.
As human beings we are first introduced to music before birth. A fetus is exposed to the art of music by hearing the beating of the mother’s heart. Once born, an infant continues to be exposed to music. It is common for parents to sing to their newborn at bedtime. Many toys and televisions programs aimed at infants play music, to which they respond by moving their arms and legs. Once babies start learning their first words many begin to sing phrases of familiar songs, even though they might not know what it means. During this process a child starts to repeat familiar phrases and slowly begins to learn and build vocabulary (Gallien). Even before children have been enrolled in school, they have already had a lot of exposure to music in their lives.
While children have had great exposure to music prior to school, few have learned about the art of music. This is what music programs in school are designed to do. In doing so, kids develop and enhance skills that makes them better students and better individuals in the future. MENC: The National Association for Music Education has a list of
Cited: Gallien, Cherryl. “The importance of music in the lives of infant and toddlers” Retrieved October 27, 2010 from http://www.nhaeyc.org/newsletters/articles/Music--Infant_&_Toddler%20newsletter.pdf MENC Staff. The National Association for Music Education "Benefits of Music Education" Brochure, Spring 2002". Retrieved October 27, 2010 from http://www.childrensmusicworkshop.com/advocacy/benefits.html Rewko, Bohdan. “The importance of teaching music to children in school.” Retrieved October 27,2010 from http://www.helium.com/items/703486-is-it-important-to-teach-music-to-children-in-school TRF. “The Importance of Music Education”. Musical Atrticle. Retrieved October 27,2010 from http://educationandsuccess.com/music/permalink.php?article=The+Importance+of+Music+Education.txt