Thesis: How Musical Training Affects Academic Performance
Music education has a long history in our society. Only in recent decades have we seen a decline in its practice. This is largely due to the interpretation of the importance of music to the educational experience. These interpretations are often biased and unstudied, but their impacts remain significant on music education.
Musical processing and training is associated with an augmentation of grey matter in areas of the brain that may have implications to cognitive functions. Studies have shown these areas to have direct impact on academic performance. A further look into this topic may lead to a shift in the current views toward music education, and have positive impacts on its practice.
So how does musical study effect academic performance? This is an important question in our educational system today. To answer this we must look into a few different areas and ask questions like “what is the current state of music education?” and “why is music important to academic performance?” As we look into this topic we will begin to uncover some major reasons why music education is an important part of our school system...
My philosophy of education is very strongly tied to what I believe is my life mission. To co-create a world of connection and love by positively imprinting on those around me. I believe that educators have a very strong presence in the lives of students and their families. The way we interact with them on a daily basis can have a massive impact on their future, whether in or out of the classroom. For children, the consistency behind these interactions builds a belief of how adults operate in the world and how things work. If I can offer a consistent presence of love, honesty, compassion, and other positive character qualities via my interactions with them, not just my words, then I have made I strong contribution to the psyche of that child. Whether or not they recognize my contribution, it is my hope that my authentic interactions act as guideposts to their psyche for how things are supposed to be in their world. So that as they create and shape their lives they can have an emotional imprint somewhere in their psyche that where they learned love, honesty, compassion, etc. I believe this is my highest contribution to education.