Part 3 of our back to school series connected arts to sports and athletics. Our final installment focuses on interpersonal communications and recognizes that musical activities and instruction may foster improved classroom behaviours.

A relevant study found that children who achieved musical expression in singing, moving, memory and collaboration showed improvement in verbal communications, listening, and abilities to problem solve and play cooperatively (Brand and Bar-Gikl, 2008).

Listening is a core skill for the classroom. Listening to music and listening to others (teacher and classmates) are parallel in behaviour. Musical instruction is a fun way to teach children attention, eye contact, and appropriate responses (Brand and Bar-Gil, 2008). Attentively listening may lead to better focus and concentration. Also, the musical tempos and melodies teach children to listen for verbal tones, and related connotations. It also helps develop the auditory channels in the brain.

Collaboration is often emphasized at school. Cooperative group activities such as storytelling, building and sports encourage interactions with others.

Similarly, musical activities such as dancing, singing and playing instruments also foster togetherness. Also, musical collaboration includes performing ideas suggested by others, which translates to the cooperative play and accepting others’ suggestions in the classroom (Brand and Bar-Gil, 2008). In both settings, children practise sharing responsibility, compromising ideas, and achieving a common goal. Being a part of a team fosters confidence and accountability.

AMT offers a wide range of groups that help children socialize and interact with others. From playing instruments together in Rock Band groups, to sharing choruses and having break-out solos in the Speak and Sing and GLEE groups, AMT helps to foster friendship and inclusivity. If you can’t make it to a scheduled class, visit us during our Drop-In Group sessions this Fall, held on Saturday’s from 2:00pm to 3:00pm. Contact us at 905.631.MUZK or admin@accentmusictherapy.com to register or to learn more!