I’ve been asking school kids I know, and some hanging around the streets in my neighborhood, what they’re doing during the long “summer” school break. Most say they’re just home, meet up and play with friends, watch TV, play computer games. Their parents may be busy, or may not have the funds to arrange activities for them.
Of course, being idle could be a good thing, too, if kids strengthen friendships, explore nature, take time to read, if that’s something children still do.
Well-off parents can book their kids in painting or theater or other creative activities offered for a price.
When I asked in Valencia what activities there were, I was told basketball, volleyball, and football games, not tennis though even if we have tennis courts right in the park because there were no rackets or balls for the kids to use.
Thinking about how children should have a profitable and enjoyable time during this long break reminded me of a friend in the States who sent her daughter to summer camp. The 10 year-old girl hadn’t been doing well in school, and worse, was often bullied because she was overweight. What my friend chose for her daughter was a music camp: the kids could try out different musical instruments, and then choose one to have lessons on for the duration of the camp.
It seems that this experience did wonders for the girl: she got serious about the violin, and later became part of the youth orchestra in their town. Other effects during her school years included improved school performance, and increased self confidence.
There have been studies about the benefits of learning to play a musical instrument: better attention in class, increased rate of learning new vocabulary, better math and science scores, more effective team work, fewer drop-outs in schools in troubled neighborhoods.
There’s been neurological interest, too: an MIT study found that the cerebral cortex of a concert pianist is enlarged by 30 percent on average compared to people considered intellectuals who had not had a musical education. Music training is now known to have a positive biological effect on developing brains.
Filipinos rightly view themselves as a musical people, at ease singing and dancing on every possible occasion.
When it comes to children, however, I have to admit my discomfort at the applause for young children singing adult love songs, often in English, and in imitation of the styles of popular adult singers.
Children have musical abilities but it would be wonderful if they were encouraged in more child- appropriate ways.
Here we are faced with class realities: better off parents can afford to pay for music lessons but sadly, disadvantaged children are deprived of the benefits of music education.
Public schools could be pro-active by soliciting donations of musical instruments, and also the services of volunteer music teachers.
Bringing music skills to children should be seen as a valuable contribution towards child development.
_______________________________
Author’s email: h.cecilia7@gmail.com
