Classical Musicians

In the classroom we listen to classical music.  When the children are writing, the music is playing softly in the background and it helps them to relax, stay focused, and settle into their work. Here are some of the classical musicians we'll be learning about this year.

Here is some background on how listening to classical music can enhance children's education:

Since the mid-1800s, research has suggested that classical music can have numerous positive effects on children's development and health.

Memory
Background music may aid in developing memory. Most importantly, memory recall improves when the same music played during learning is played during recall.

Emotion and mood
An Ohio study using the 30 variations in J. S. Bach's Goldberg Variations, BWV 988, found that children of different ages were mostly consistent in identifying the "emotion" of the variation as excited, sad, happy, or calm. Even children with no musical background were able to articulate the emotions expressed by the music.

The prodigy myth
Famous classical musicians are often deemed child geniuses. While Mozart is the most common example, there are others: Felix Mendelssohn wrote his first piece at age 11, and Frederick Chopin, the quintessential "romantic" composer, performed crowded concerts by the time he was 20.

While every child may not develop into a musical master, every child does have the potential to benefit from classical music – especially when music teaching takes a broad sensory approach.

If you would like to read the whole article about classical music enhancing children's education, please use the link below.

http://www.teachervision.fen.com/lesson-plans/lesson-4756.html