3 minute read
Sit ups for the brain!
Sit ups for the brain!
Head of Junior School Mrs Maria Hodges
Improved cognitive ability, enhanced memory, advanced problem-solving capacity, improved creativity – Is there a magic potion? Music and Language learning is your answer.
In Junior School, we teach Music and French every day. In addition to being fun and enjoyable, these disciplines also have the distinct, and proven ability to give our students the brain workout to enhance their cognitive skills.
Young children’s brains are often compared to sponges for how quickly they soak up information. This is actually a fact as brain development is at its peak at this early age. Children acquire knowledge rapidly making this the perfect time to expose them to as many different disciplines as possible.
Chase Nerlich (Year 2) and above, Josie McClung (ELC) having fun with French
When learning music and languages, our brain modifies its structural and functional organization i.e., its plasticity, opening and creating new neural pathways and strengthening the connectivity which helps our brains process information better and faster. It’s a bit like performing sit ups for the brain! It all adds to making the brain work better, more efficiently and improve our ability to solve problems.
In 2021, we introduced our Music and French Everyday Programme into our Early Learning Centre. It has proven hugely successful and enjoyable for our Pre-Kindy and Kindy students and, as anticipated, they are soaking it all up. This year, we have expanded our programme to include all our students from Pre-Kindergarten through to Year 2. From entering our programme at the age of 3, our children are immersed in languages and music, and they are reaping the rewards of what these subjects can add to their young lives.
So, what does our programme look like? Due to their young age, our lessons are shorter with sharper sessions which are interactive and fun. The repetition of having lessons every day helps to maintain and embed the content from the short-term into the long-term memory bank. This is a proven, far more recallable way to teach as opposed to having
long lessons only once per week. It helps students build on their knowledge each day and practise what they are learning. We use puppets, instruments, songs, and play to ensure there is maximum engagement and participation in the lesson. Lessons are taught in a positive and encouraging way where children participate as they feel comfortable and confident to do so. Through repetition, the children have the time to experiment and play with what they are learning. Voilà, there you have it, a daily dose of sit ups for the brain and a love for languages and music in development.
Our programme also teaches our youngest students to love learning something new and equips them for the rapidly globalised world in which we live. It also positively impacts their social and emotional learning and wellbeing. With this, we ensure we develop the child as a whole, offering a wide breadth and depth to our teaching and learning. At Scotch, we don’t keep doing things in t he same way, but look for ways to innovate and improve so that our students are always the winners!
