It seems to be common knowledge that learning how to play the violin contributes significantly to cognitive development in children. As I come across research that supports the specifics of this, I like to share with families those details. This post is one of those instances.
Stuart Shanker, professor of psychology and philosophy at York University speaks about research conducted with kindergarteners and how self-regulation influences their performance in the classroom and testing.
His findings reveal that education using materials, which enhance self-regulatory capacities, has proven to increase students’ test scores. Common characteristics of self-regulatory behavior include staying calm, focused and alert. The need for self-regulation exists because to learn the foundations of reading and seeing patterns, the ability to self-regulate is required. This is a learned skill that children can be taught.
Additionally, Dr. Shanker’s research revealed that students learn more easily through play-based education and are then more relaxed and less sensitive to stressors in their environment that can be draining their energy, making it more difficult for students to “show up” and learn.
Instead of labeling children with perceived negative behavioral weaknesses as “bad,” parents and teachers where possible, should spend more time with the child in observance. This will help reveal what’s happening so the child’s learning strengths & stressors can be uncovered, and the caregivers can adjusting accordingly. According to Dr. Shanker, the better they understand the child, the lower amount of stress in the household and other learning environments.
How does learning violin innately include self-regulation education?:
- Learning rest position
- Taking a bow
- Listening with eye contact to the teacher without speaking
- Private lessons increase the teacher’s ability to understand the students’ learning styles and stressors
- Communicating with parents the importance of creating a nurturing environment at home similar to learning their native language
- Learning spatial reasoning through auditory and kinesthetic patterns
- Developing musical memory
- Group play and self-expression with peers
- Focused listening
- Consistent repetition
- Attention to detail
- Developing sensitivity to appreciation and musicality
- Heart-centered expression through music
- Keeping a steady beat and playing in time with an ensemble
- Body control
- Diligence
- Goal setting and achievement
This is only a partial list. What are other ways you recognize the skill of self-regulation innately within teaching or learning to play the violin? List them in the comments below.
Video: Dr. Shankman’s interview about Self-Regulation on TVO
