SINGING EXERCISES THE BRAIN

Singing is a powerful, multi brain-area and multi-sensory medium for learning.

In my previous blog, I spoke about the areas of the brain stimulated by listening to music. These areas are stimulated by singing to music, as we first have to listen to music before we can sing to it. Unless it is a new composition (own, made-up song)-something that children are very fond of doing. Children love “making up” their own songs as they go along, which will use the same and different parts of the brain, and in different ways.

Eric Jensen, author of “Teaching with the brain in mind.” Says that: “The most significant learning occurs when emotions are integrated with instruction, because all body systems are united, The Arts are strongly linked to emotions, enhancing the likelihood that students will remember something.”

Young and old profit from singing.

Music has the potential to help stroke patients who lost verbal function by stimulating verbal function with Music. Music, because of its association with memory has also been used to help patients with Alzheimer’s disease.

Feel-good and health benefits drawn from singing:

It reduces stress. Dopamine, a feel-good hormone is released.
Improves mood as it is a positive experience.
Lowers blood pressure because it increases your heart rate.
Improves breathing because you have to breathe deeply when you sing.
Reduces pain.
Boosts immune system because it improves circulation which brings more oxygen to cells.
Improves sense of rhythm and accuracy of pitch. (to learn to sing in tune)
Promotes learning, increases concentration and learning.
Gives comfort as it releases negativity.
Promotes bonding with the person/s you’re singing with.
Motivates
Empowers because of the hormone oxytocin that is released while singing.
Promotes well-being because it releases endorphins.
Teaches new vocabulary.

With all of this “in mind”, why not go and put on a song that you love? Take your child in your arms and sing and dance your cares away. You’ll feel better for it. Guaranteed!