DR. BOBS DAILY: STRIKE UP THE BAND We are a very musical family. I remember playing two leading roles in musicals when I was a kid: Tom Sawyer (I can still sing to myself Well, it aint every day a boy gets a chance to splash white warsh on a big board fence . . . and that lucky boy is me! - I also remember getting to kiss Becky Thatcher on the cheek - that was gross) and Barnum (jumping rope on a balance beam was my trick). Two of my sisters have the most beautiful singing voices in the family - they were vocal majors in college. My brother Jim does a fantastic Elvis Pharaoh in Joseph, and my little brother, Matt, played a lead role in The Music Man in high school - how he managed that tricky opening number on the train is beyond me. But it wasnt all just singing - it started with the dreaded piano lessons. Remember how much we hated those when we were kids? Plus, this was the old days - momma didnt drive me to my lessons in an SUV and sit and listen in adoration while I played. I actually had to ride my bike - Ya! Ride my bike - unattended, about five miles every week to my lessons. The only saving graces were that it wasnt uphill (either way) and it didnt snow on the South Carolina coast. But I dont remember liking it. In fact, I remember we were playing football one day at a friends house, and the friends mom stopped the game to announce my mom was on the phone reminding me its time to ride over to my lessons. Youd think that I would be scarred by that, but I actually love mountain biking now. But, just like those green veggies, piano lessons were good for me, according to a new study. Researchers at the University of Vermont School of Medicine studied MRI scans on 232 kids and found that the brain areas responsible for motor planning, coordination, visuospacial ability, emotion, and impulse regulation matured more quickly in children who trained in a musical instrument (specific instruments not reported). So, I guess I can be thankful that my mom forced me to go. If you havent started your young kids on an instrument yet, maybe its time. I dont know the best age to start, but four or five should be good. If your child complains, tell him its to develop his visuospacial ability. If he cant say visuospacial ability, then its definitely time to hit the keys. Dr. Bob
Posted on: Wed, 07 Jan 2015 16:48:37 +0000
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