In Grade 9, in place of listening to Music (out of respect for Ramadan) we are learning about the neurological impact of playing, making, and listening to music. Studies done at Oregon Health Sciences University in Portland, Oregon USA have shown a direct correlation between the act of practicing a musical piece and increased brain function, particularly with reasoning and motor function. Their studies also showed that Music also assisted the brain in creating neurons and building stronger myelin sheaths that allows for stronger communication between cells. In addition, Harvard Medical School has done studies connecting the study of music and the brain’s increased reasoning and memory abilities. But how can this apply to our students at ABIS? Music can help the brain detect different sounds with greater ease helping with language acquisition and fluency- whether it is your first or fourth language! The training that comes from a Music education can have positive impacts on spacial reasoning (Geometry anyone?) as well as pattern recognition. “It turns out that practicing a musical instrument might be the most difficult and challenging thing a human brain can do,” says Larry Sherman, Ph.D.
