Why Music is Essential to Your Child’s Learning and Development (About PROJECT Trio)

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(Disclosure: Indianapolis Moms Blog received product or payment in exchange for this review; however, all opinions shared are those of the contributor who wrote them.)

At first, my husband and I felt a little silly registering our three-month-old daughter, Lyra, for an early childhood music education class. What would she really pick up as an infant? But music is extremely important to us as a couple; my husband is a talented pianist and keyboardist, and I’m a singer. We knew we wanted music to be an integral part of our new family, and that meant making it central to our family culture from the outset.

Music provided an incredible avenue for bonding with our sweet baby. We sang and played music for Lyra every single day, and songs always got the biggest smiles. Music became an essential form of communication for us, helping us to build a strong foundation of love and laughter with our child.

Lyra and Jeff at music classAs it turns out, the bonding and communication benefits we noticed have actually been confirmed by science. Researchers have discovered that very early musical training benefits children even before they can walk or talk. They found that one-year-old babies who participate in interactive music classes with their parents smile more, communicate better, and show earlier and more sophisticated brain responses to music. Socially, these babies were easier to calm and were more adaptable when things were unfamiliar or didn’t go their way. And as children begin school, studies have shown a strong correlation between musical engagement and scholastic achievement.

Music also offers a more accessible entry point to talking with children about difficult subjects. Maybe you have heard about the YouTube sensation PROJECT Trio, an instrumental group that brings in elements of hip-hop, rock, and pop to make classical music fun for kids. PROJECT Trio performs classics such as Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf in creative interpretations that also deliver messages about powerful topics such as anti-bullying.

PROJECT Trio believes creativity encourages critical thinking. The group has performed for over 300,000 students on four continents, and with more than 83 million views on Youtube and appearances on popular TV shows on Nickelodeon and MTV, PROJECT Trio is instantly recognizable to students of all ages.

I look forward to seeing this amazing group perform Peter and the Wolf on Jan. 9 at the Tarkington at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. (For a taste of what the lively performance will include, check out this video of member Greg Pattillo beatboxing while playing the flute!) Learn more at TheCenterPresents.org or by phone at 317.843.3800.

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