Quote:
Originally Posted by mojopinuk
You would need some serious statistics to prove that an education in music is actually going to be of an advantage to someone to convince me that it should be a mandatory part of a childs education.
If a kid wants to learn then sure it should be encouraged but outside of school. Our music classes were rubbish and full of kids who either didn't want to be there as it felt like an after school activity or kids with a keen interest in music who either didnt need to be taught how to play or who didn't pay any attention anyway and taught themselves to play the way they wanted to play. To be fair our music teachers were crap though.
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For anyone familiar with child psychology and developing minds, it has been a long-known fact that music helps children learn (I'm talking about primary school aged children here.) Here are some links if you're at all interested:
http://www.news-medical.net/news/2004/09/09/4638.aspx
Music Education Can Help Children Improve Reading Skills
BBC NEWS | Health | Music 'makes the brain learn better'
Language Development and Music: Music Can Help Children Learn to Talk and Communicate
I could go into more academic resources but I don't want to bore anyone.
This is why music education should be a part of primary schools. Why should art be part of education but not music? Music is a great way for kids to become better at maths, reading, vocal articulation, and coordination. Not to mention it allows them to let off steam and express themselves after some serious brain fatigue in the classroom. I always notice that kids come back to my class much more relaxed, calm and also alert after their weekly music and art classes.
Here, primary school aged children participate in music and art lessons once a week. I think this is perfect and should not be changed. In my opinion it benefits their learning and their educational experience. And our music lessons in primary do not consist of music appreciation and music history, they usually consist of: singing, clapping, playing musical instruments, dancing, and learning the very basics of music theory.
High school however, is a totally different story. I think music in high school should not be compulsory and but should be available only to those who want to take it as a subject.