Music is highly valued at Bungaree Primary School. It is one of the few activities that activates, stimulates and uses the entire brain and it can also enhance self-esteem. Students at Bungaree have the opportunity to be involved in many different enriching musical experiences, as well as a developmental classroom music program for all students from Pre-Primary to Year 6. Some key points about music are:
Music develops neural pathways and enhances brain function.
Music stimulates incomparable development of a child’s brain and leads to improved concentration and memory abilities. Physical changes to the brain and cognitive improvements through music are measurable in many ways. Most notably, MRI shows that musical tasks can activate all 4 lobes of the brain, as well as parts of the cerebellum. Music, quite literally, gets the whole brain working.
Music improves confidence, self-expression and fosters creativity.
Music is a powerful tool in enhancing health and wellbeing. Creating and performing music can improve a young person’s sense of self-worth and promote positive self-confidence. Creating, learning and performing music is rewarding for children in many ways. It helps them to express themselves and allows an opportunity for them to feel valued. Music facilitates and nurtures emotional growth by teaching students about responsibility, expression and assessment.
Music promotes teamwork and collaboration.
Making music with other people helps to establish a culture of tolerance and acceptance. Creating and experiencing music as a group leads young people to understand and value diversity. It promotes sharing, listening and encourages social growth by asking students to work together. Children learn to respect the opinions and ideas of others through making music collaboratively and have the chance to celebrate the things that make people different.
“Children who take part in music develop higher levels of social cohesion and understanding of themselves and others,” says Dr. Alexandra Lamont, Lecturer in the Psychology of Music at the University of Keele