This is the question on an article in Today’s Parent March 2012 issue. You can read it here.
What are your thoughts, as parents of little musicians? What have you noticed from the beginning of lessons? What do you notice now after a few years of lessons?
I’ve been aware for some time of how music changes the “neuro-pathways” of our brains (for a good read, pick up This is Your Brain on Music by Dr. Daniel Levitin) and that children’s brains are still developing and thus more flexible to these changes. But something tells me I’m preaching to the converted when I ask the questions above 🙂
The only thing I’d like to stress from the article, or add to it, is that computer games alone don’t make up a full musical experience. Children need to be physically engaged in making and enjoying music. There is a lot to be said for the focus on developing muscle-memory (there’s another sports analogy!) but it’s very true to the practice of music.
So next time you listen to music at home- get up, get silly, and dance your cares away!
-Mairéad
Tempo Drive Music Studio 
Last year, when Jimmy was in JK, his teacher commented that he had an “advanced grasp” of the math skills that they were learning. They were mostly doing patterning and I absolutely attributed his skill to having been in music for a year and a half by this point. Now, he’s in French Immersion, and doing well in his second language. I also believe music to be a type of language and I’m sure starting in music as early as he did helped him absorb as much French as he has. There are so many benifits that I believe come from learning music at a young age that I could go on and on….. Needless to say, my two younger kids will begin MYC asap. ; )
Thanks for sharing- way to go, Jimmy!