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[Niko]

The Mozart Effect on Kids - raising IQ

Parents these days feel a lot of pressure to have their children be the best, and that it's important to begin training them at an early age. For example, kids learn multiple languages at a very young age.

Compact diskcs with titles like Mozart for Babies or The Mozart Effect Music for Children are readily found on the shelves of CD shops.

In 1998, the governor of one US state even announced that he would give Mozart CDs to every newborn baby in the state. When it comes to music as a background to child-rearing, even normally staid institutions seem to have been rocked by media claims that works by Mozart, as well as other orchestral composers, are able to increase toddlers' IQs, and many kids now listen to Mozart while they are still in the womb.

But how true is this assumption and is there any scientific evidence to support it?

To discover how people react to musical stimuli, a research team divided a number of college students into 3 groups.

1. Mozart's music
2. Relaxation music
3. Silence with no music used

All 3 groups were then asked to undertake a spatial-temporal test designed to measure their ability to visualise, manipulate and relate complex images in their minds. As it turned out, the first group scored higher than the other two. This result became known as the Mozart Effect - a term that has since been used to refer to the effect of music on all areas of human existence including physical health and learning ability.

[Niko]

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[gogo]

An interesting topic! Something which I use myself for my child.

A one-off of listening to Mozart will not help. To be effective, musical tuition needs to last for at least two years. When it does, the effect continues for a number of years, even after the instruction ends.

It's also interesting to note that music training also causes changes in the structure of the brain.

The left and the right side of the brain are connected by a corpus collosum - basically an arch of nerves and fibres. The corpus collosum is essential for tasks such as finger coordination amongst other things.

Research has shown that musicians have larger corpus collosum's than non-musicians.

Another part of the brain in musicians that is 5% larger than that of non-musicians is the cerebellum, located at the back of the brain. One of its many roles is to help us organise and coordinate actions in time, especially when rapid movement is involved.

Definitely, use of music on a regular basis is important for students of all ages.

[worldtour]

I have read that children who study music may do better in math. At first glance this may not make sense, but in reality music is pure math. Tones and notes correspond to frequencies, A is 60 cycles, like the hum of electicity in America, 50 cyles is lower in tone. Thats why we can tune a guitar electronically. Measures are in 4/4 or 3/4 or 6/8 and note values are fractions of the beat, quarter note, eighth note.

So those who pooh pooh that idea have not really thought it through logically. Mathematics tend to be constant. I would venture to say that the finest musicians have that large bridge between each side of the brain, the empirical and the artistic side. Surely, the artist who can infuse emotion into the music is considered to be more of a virtuoso than the technically flawless.

Ah, Mozart, I'm reminded of Soliari's comment about the voice of God coming through this vulgar little man. I think Bach illustrates the mathematical nature of music in the fuges best. The same progression or melodic line picked up by different instuments.

worldtour

[vare2]

Yea I think besides Mozart, most classical music in general helps in stimulating the brain. Anyway, I think it's always good to listen to classical music, even if it doesnt increase your IQ, it teaches you to appreciate a finer side of life. Einstein for instance, was able to find solace and company in his violin in later part of his life.