THE POSITIVE POWER OF MUSIC IN THE LIVES OF CHILDREN

My three older brothers and I gathered around the piano every Saturday night with our parents to prepare for Sunday morning worship.  My brothers, then known as the “Rice Kryspies,” often sang at church, and I played my violin during the offertory.  I grew up in a home filled with musical instruments.  Music as a gift which has lasted all my life and has positively affected the quality of my life.

Why is music important in the lives of children?

Music assists the spiritual growth of children as they learn Bible verses and biblical concepts.  I remember learning “Deep and Wide” when I was a little girl.  I loved doing the motions and feeling a sense of accomplishment while singing along.  Little did I know that I was learning directional cues and spiritual concepts!  Think of all the scripture we memorize through repetition and rhyme when it’s set to music.  That’s why I have written such songs as “The Ten Commandments,” “Armor of God,” “Forgive,” “Pray,” “Books of the Bible” and so many others.  God’s wisdom can be rooted in hearts and minds through scripture-based melodies.

Music serves as a vehicle to praise and worship God.  Psalm 150 calls us to praise Him with the trumpet, harp, lyre, tambourine, dancing, strings, flute and cymbals.  “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord,” the psalmist says in closing.  As I write my own music, I see it as a way to express my gratitude to God for all He has done in and through my life.

Music is a great confidence builder.  I was so right-brained teachers thought I would never learn.  I struggled with worksheets, math facts, spelling, timed tests and learning facts, but I excelled in music which gave me self-esteem and a creative outlet.  Music provides almost daily opportunity for individual accomplishment.

Music brings families together.  At our family gatherings, the children are encouraged to play or sing something they’ve recently learned.  Everyone brings their own unique interest and abilities which makes for a joyful time together.  Music is fun and contributes to a positive and happy atmosphere.

Music affords the opportunity to fail and start again.  The first time I played a violin solo at church I was standing by a freshly plastered wall.  As I finished the last strains of “Amazing Grace,” my bow got stuck in the plaster.  You can imagine my embarrassment, but the experience became a stepping stone rather than a defeat.

Music impacts a child’s emotional life.  It can change a mood, calm a child’s fears, or set the tone for the day.  Music is soothing to the soul and can alter a child’s mood instantly by calming reactions.  David was a talented harp musician and 1 Samuel 16:23 tells us that he played for King Saul to calm him from his bad moods.

Music enhances academic excellence.  In an article written by Denie Riggs, she states: “Hungary ranks highest in academic excellence, yet is one of the world’s poorest countries.  How can that be?  Could it be because they have a mandatory music requirement for kindergarten through grade nine? In Hungary, the first four hours of each day are set aside for music, orchestra and choir.  In the afternoon, when the students study mathematics, language, and history, they are able to achieve high grades, because their brain has been formatted for orderly storage and retrieval of information by music study.”