Here’s How to Add More to Their Life
Music stimulates changes in the brain, particularly in children, and the benefits are undeniable. Studies have linked involvement in music, especially learning to play an instrument, to an increased ability to distinguish between sounds (called neurophysiological distinction), which boosts literacy and aids academic development. For children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), music appears to hold even greater promise for cognitive and intellectual growth.
According to The Mayo Clinic, ADHD “includes a combination of persistent problems, such as difficulty sustaining attention, hyperactivity and impulsive behavior.” Kids with ADHD struggle with a condition that makes it difficult for them to think and function in a coherent, linear manner, and the condition one ADHD children will likely have to deal with their entire lives.
Listening to and playing music teaches rhythm, the aspect of music that provides structure, something that children with ADHD need. As their brains process and make sense of this concept of structure, they’re better able to do things like plan, respond, and anticipate external stimuli. If you’re looking to make a change, Win’s Books offers tips on how to add more music in your child’s life
Optimal Environment
According to Edutopia, Children with ADHD thrive in an orderly environment. If you need to, upgrade your child’s bedroom for better relaxation, or a hobby space for your child to practice music. Looking forward, if you choose to have a dedicated space for music for years to come, transforming a room into a multi-purpose space may help increase the value of your home.
Provide storage space for an instrument, keyboard, and sheet music. Consider decorating the area with a musical motif. Wallpaper has come a long way since you were a kid. It’s easier to apply, easier to remove, and comes in so many great patterns that can make for a fun practice space. With online design tools, you can even design your own.
A Social Activity
Children who become part of an orchestra or some other musical group learn to interact in ways that benefit them socially because, in a sense, playing music together is a highly integrative undertaking. They learn when to play, how to harmonize, and when to stay silent. Children become part of a larger endeavor, which gives them a satisfying and enjoyable sense of belonging and accomplishment.
Living With Music
If your child has ADHD, think of music as an important part of their development, something they need right alongside nutrition and exercise. Try to incorporate music into your child’s everyday life. Listen to songs in the car when you’re out together running errands or on your way to and from school.
If your child is younger, there are many albums and compilations with songs for toddlers or interpretations of old classics they’ll enjoy. As they get older, cater to their particular tastes. Kids with ADHD typically respond well to Beethoven’s Emperor Concerto for Piano, Mozart’s Symphony No. 40 in G Minor, and Johann Sebastian Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos.
Singing together at bedtime is also a good way to stimulate cognitive functioning and enjoy some special quality time together. Dancing to your child’s favorite music while they’re helping with chores combines exercise with musical enjoyment. You can also try your hand at creating your own musical instruments.
Research into the science of the brain has proven the truth of the maxim that music has healing powers. It’s often used in therapy to treat conditions, including ADHD. Take every opportunity to expose your child to music and make it central to her daily routine. Who knows? You may end up producing a world-class musician.
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