This concept is not very new, and many ancient eastern civilizations attach a vital importance to the period in a woman`s life when she is expecting a baby. The old traditional cultures consider pregnancy to be a sacred period that predetermines the future life of a child. The woman`s spirit, attitude to life, people and the situation, as well as the psychological climate  and the environment in general, in which a pregnant woman  lives – all these factors immensely affect the future baby.

Nowadays many scientists display interest in prenatal bringing up. Recent scientific researches proved that the fetus scans all the information received through its mother`s senses and records it on the cell level.

During the first 3 months the mother`s emotions are the main source of this information. That is why, trying to maintain  a state of happiness, to live in harmony with herself and with the whole world, are of vital importance for a pregnant woman who  wants to bear a healthy baby and bring up a harmoniously developed person.

Marie-André BERTIN, a president of French national association of prenatal upbringing writes in one of her works:

“Within the prenatal being… each cell collects information as it is forming and consequently, the child is learning while it is forming.  When a child is born, it already has a past of nine months, in which a large part of her/his personality has been founded”. We, the teachers of Sunnyvale Trio School, are so excited to find out that “a fetus perceives the music that his mother is listening. His reaction is selective. So that Beethoven and Brahms excite him and Mozart and Vivaldi soothen him. Speaking to rock music there is only one thing we can say: rock music makes him crazy! Often future mothers have to leave the concert hall during a rock concert because the fetus expresses his protest moving frantically. Mothers should listen not to rock but to other kind of music, that uses perfectly-structured harmonies”.

http://www.naturalprenataleducation.com/NPE/Welcome.html

Listening to classical music is the perfect choice, as you can see.

The matter of influence of prenatal period on the development of future child is  also studied by many American  researchers, for instance by Giselle Whitwell who is a practicing prenatal music therapist and lives in the Los Angeles area. She has been a music educator for 20 years and gives lectures and workshops on prenatal music in the United States, Asia, and Europe. She describes her experience in her article “The Importance of Prenatal Sound and Music”.

If you want to know more about, it you can read these books:

Campbell, Don. (1997). The Mozart Effect, New York: Avon Books.

Shetler, Donald J. (1989). The inquiry into prenatal musical experience: A report of the Eastman Project 1980-1987. Pre- and Peri-Natal Psychology Journal, 3(3), 171-189.

Woodward, Sheila C. (1992). The Transmission Of Music Into The Human Uterus And The Response To Music Of The Human Fetus And Neonate (Doctoral Thesis, Dept. of Music Education, University of Cape Town, South Africa.

Polverini-Rey, R. A. (1992). Intrauterine musical learning: the soothing effect on newborns of a lullaby learned prenatally. Dissertation Abstracts # 9233740.

Shetler, Donald J. (1989). The Inquiry Into Prenatal Musical Experience: A Report of the Eastman Project 1980-1987. Pre- and Perinatal Psychology Journal, 3(3), 171-189.

http://birthpsychology.com/journal-article/importance-prenatal-sound-and-music

In the book of Russian researchers Ilyin А.М., Ilyina L.P  “The ABC –Book of the XXI–th Century or How to Teach Children to Read, Count and Think” some special exercises for prenatal education are described in detail.

During the period of first 3-6 months the organs of senses and the brain centers that are related with these centers, start to form in the fetus.

That`s why it is advisable for mother to touch various objects with different surfaces and to listen to various sounds.

The researchers advise to practice this, for instance: “Press any key on the piano and try to concentrate on the sensations that a certain sound causes in you. Repeat the procedure with another key, and so on. Compare the sounds that are produced by adjacent keys and remember what you feel. You should also listen attentively how sound various human voices: male`s, female`s, and children`s”.

In 6 months after the conception an inner ear is developed in the fetus, and the inner ear starts functioning. It perceives sounds and transmits the relevant signals to the brain. It means that the fetus becomes capable of  recognizing speech. Remember that from now on the fetus possesses 3 sources of information: the mother`s emotional state, her speech and her attitude to him.

To put it in a word “when a child is born, it already has a past of nine months, in which a large part of her/his personality has been founded” (Marie-André Bertin).

These ideas are in conformity to a famous theory of early music education created by a Japanese music educator Shinichi  Suzuki. Its main principle is learning “from environment”.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzuki_method

For teaching music Suzuki applied  the same principle that he observed in actual life: when it comes to his native language, a child begins to speak before he learns to read. And before the kid begins to speak there exists a period when he only listens and tried to understand his parent`s speech addressed to him. The more he listens the quicker he starts to speak himself.

Applying this theory to music education for little students of music, learning music by ear is predominant, and may come long before learning to read musical notation.

The essential thing in this method is the importance of creating the relevant musical “environment” for learning music.

It means: immersion in music, living in the musical atmosphere.  If parents intend to bring up musically gifted children it is  not necessary for mothers and fathers to be  professional musicians themselves, but they can add more music into their lives. They can go to the concerts, operas and ballets, they can watch classical music programs on TV and home cinema/video, and listen them on radio/CD. And there will never be too much when it comes to listening to music.

It is not advisable to involve children in listening to rock, because music of this style is characterized by a wide use of dissonances and rhythms brought to musical content by “modern civilization”. Pop music is not so bad, but you should remember that a limited set of musical means is used in it. It goes without saying that parents shouldn`t forget to  familiarize children with the best pieces of  piano music played by great maestros.  After all, if you choose a piano as a musical instrument for your child, you should show him how heavenly it can sound.

One of the main principles of the Suzuki philosophy is: every child is naturally talented.  But every aptitude can be revealed only if a person is involved in the relevant activity.

Whether this talent will be discovered and developed, or it will fade away – wholly and completely depends on us, parents and teachers.

It is believed that two million years ago, during the Paleolithic era, societies were run in a matriarchal manner.  Women were considered mystical and divine, because they were able to spawn life. They were the heads of the family and were very influential in their civilization.  Women were empowered to be the decision-makers and inventors.  A woman was regarded in the highest of manners: The Mother of Mankind. 

Later, for centuries, women have been treated unfairly, and they have had to endure many hardships.   From being objectified to sadly unappreciated, women throughout history have had to struggle to achieve and have access to the same opportunities as men.  Courageous women like Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Staton  paved the way for women to emerge into the 20^th Century free from many of the oppressions forced upon all women.  Staton’s brave methodologies, which she used demanding equal rights for women, have helped women participate in politics.  Anthony’s tireless efforts helped to gain women the right to vote.  These are only two in a long list of tenacious women that have helped change the way women are treated.          

Women have used their strengths even when it opposed the typical expectations of women.  Joan of Arc led the French army against English invasions. Both Marie Curie and Clara Barton created gateways into medical and scientific studies.  At the time women were not considered by the governments to be relevant contributors in those fields, Marie Curie was the first woman to be awarded the Nobel Prize.  Clara Barton went on to be the founder and first president of the American Red Cross.  Even Rosie the Riveter went against the male expectations of women  and rose up to hold a position in field dominated by men. She led the women of the 1930’s and 1940’s in a female industrial revolution, proving to everyone that women are strong, talented, and capable.

Inspired by the works of these great women and countless others, International Women’s Day was started in order to celebrate and appreciate the greatness of women.  It is a time to be captivated by the essence of women.  Once seen as an object that simply belonged to men, women emerge free to express their creativity, beauty, and intelligence.  Women are now given the chance to showcase their art, to participate in politics, and to lead the free world.  Women must be seen for the beauty they possess internally and externally.  They are inspired and inspirational,  and  they can share what they encompass with the world. 

International Women’s Day is not only a reminder for women everywhere to shine and strive harder in this world, but also an opportunity for women to keep a watchful eye on the future.  Though a lot has changed over the last century, women continue to challenge the stigmas placed upon them.  They are empowered to  succeed in all areas, whether economic, political, or social. 

At TRIO school, the importance of women is showcased through a conscious reminder of the mother’s role in education.  TRIO believes in a parent-teacher-student relationship,  that is integral in the way we teach.  We want to honor the role that a mother plays in a child’s life and incorporate that for the betterment of the child’s education.  

We believe that the arts are an integral core of an outstanding education.  We celebrate this idea through dance, music, and language education.

TRIO has two upcoming concerts in which we will celebrate International Women’s Day. Our theme is:  “Your Majesty, WOMAN.”  Our students will be enjoying this time where we will, more so than ever, learn about the greatnesses of women.  They will be learning about the process that women go through in order to forgive any wrongdoings.  Women have had to struggle with forgiving the governments they’ve been thwarted by.  They have had to learn to forgive their children for their ungratefulness.  The TRIO students will be learning about how women have learned to persevere even when it seemed there would be no end in sight of the cruel or unfair treatment they were suffering under.  We want our students to be learning what the concept of being a woman is, and they will be engaging to recognize the love, beauty, and inspiration that comes from women

We’ve decided to spend two exciting evenings commemorating and appreciating women through artistic expression.  Our first concert  happened at “Sunshine,” the Retirement Living Center in Sunnyvale, on March 3, 2013. Many female residents of that Center could enjoy the performance of our students and instructors, and  they appreciated  our  giving them DVDs with our concerts  as gifts.

 Our second concert will happen at Quinlan Community Center in Cupertino on March 27.  Not only will our students and teachers  be performing, but our parents will be joining in the festivities.  We are very excited, and the students are a-buzz in anticipation for everything we will be learning and practicing.  Please, keep an eye on our website for all of the details of the upcoming concerts.  We will also have updates after the shows to regale you with tales of how the students learned and grew from this experience.  We hope to see you soon as we experience the “Your Majesty,Woman” celebration.

       Embarking upon the journey of having your children learn music can, at times, be somewhat of a daunting task.  A multitude of questions arise of course.  At what age do we begin music education?  How will our child react if it is difficult?  How much money and time will we commit to this portion of our child’s education?  All of those questions can be answered on an individual basis; however, in order to have your child truly succeed in music education, these questions must be secondary to the overall goal of helping your child to succeed in life with a well-rounded education, that will lead to his being a well-rounded individual.

When it comes to learning music, the concepts cannot be rushed.  Music must be given its proper due, an opportunity to reach inside and transfigure one that embraces it.  Music can lead to children becoming truly “noble” in a world where the nobleness of a person has somehow  become lost and forgotten.  Children can be empowered by the knowledge that they worked hard, perservered, and accomplished something they set out to do.  The successes of a child that has forged through difficulties and continued even when he didn’t enjoy something, will undoubtedly be greater than the success of a child that quits when times get rough.

A great musician and musical educator, Shinichi Suzuki, has created the Suzuki method of music instruction and immersion.  His method works to inspire children of all ages to embrace how music can truly change them.  In his book  Nutured by Love: The Classic Approach to Talent Education, he reminds us of the hard work required to succeed in music: “to make a resolution and act accordingly is to live with hope. There may be difficulties and hardships, but not disappointment or despair if you follow the path steadily. Do not hurry. This is a fundamental rule. If you hurry and collapse or tumble down, nothing is achieved. Do not rest in your efforts; this is another fundamental rule. Without stopping, without haste, carefully taking a step at a time forward will surely get you there.”

Whatever age you begin playing an instrument or expose your child to it, a fortituous attitude about perservering is an absolute must.  Playing instruments can expose children to frustrations that they don’t find in other subjects or activities.  This is not something to be shyed away from.  Playing the piano, guitar, violin. etc.,  is all about overcoming these frustrations and challenges. It involves thinking through problems and finding creative ways to approach and solve them. Music lessons are good reminders of life lessons, as children will learnthrough them how to navigate challenges.

Parents must take the initiative in the beginning of music education.  This can begin by forming the mentality that children must be immersed in music, not simply exposed to it.  Parents should relish in the opportunity to be good assitants in their child’s music education.  Learning the basics of music can help parents to encourage their child to progress in his/her musical aptitude.  Take courage in knowing that you’re helping your child accomplish something great!  As Suzuki put it: “Anything you think of doing, however insignificant, should be done immediately. Spur yourself on and carry it through without becoming discouraged. If this becomes an ingrained habit, things you thought were impossible will become possible, and closed doors will open, as you will discover in many ways.”  Also, parents should strive to remember the importance of the process, not simply the end product.  While there are certifications, music degrees, and opportunities for your child to continue in music as they get older, the process of learning music and the benefits gleaned are what must be the focus.

The advantages of music education are endless. It has been proven that children that study music do better with all other forms of education.   There is also a strong correlation with less drug and alcohol abuse.  Musicians’ brains develop extra neural pathways, especially if music is introduced at a young age.  Music has been used to help treat ailments, including Parkinson’s and Alzheimers.  It is a powerful tool for spreading joy to congregations of worshipers, members of nursing homes, and more.  In many ways, music helps people find their true selves.  In his book, Suzuki put it best, “As I have said before, I had no illusions about my performing ability. But I did not know that my despair was brought about not because I had no talent but because I did not know how to develop it.” 

Studies have also indicated that musical training helps provide a positive stimulus to the parts of the brain involved in processing language and reasoning.  Learning an instrument can also enhance motor skills. Having to read notes and correlate this information to one’s hands gives musicians great hand-eye coordination. Group music lessons can help in social development by encouraging cohesiveness. Performances, practice, ensemble activities and examinations aid to build discipline and increase self-confidence in the students.  By going through the various stages of learning music, students also learn commitment and the value of accomplishing tasks they set out to complete.  Children learn more than just how to play an instrument when they are given ample opportunity to be exposed to music.  Suzuki believes that the lessons learned from music translate into life: “teaching music is not my main purpose. I want to make good citizens. If children hear fine music from the day of their birth and learn to play it, they develop sensitivity, discipline and endurance. They get a beautiful heart.” 

Through music education, the hope would be that both parent and child discover an internal love and appreciation of music as an art form.  Both will have worked hard and put in the hours and diligence to learn the craft, but more importantly, to experience the transformation that music can create.  As a child begins to appreciate the skill, he/she has actively worked to progress at, a great sense of pride will be found in parent and child alike.  The end goals of exposure to music or certification in musical education will go by the wayside, and the child will be left with the strong reminder that he or she accomplished something, grew from it, fell in love with it, and is a better individual because of it.

Whether or not you agree with Andrés Segovia’s description of the electric guitar as an “abomination,” his words reveal a deep conviction of the importance of the classical guitar. A celebrated performer of the 20^th century, Segovia  revolutionized classical guitar playing through his innovative technique of using both his fingernails and fingertips to produce a sharper sound. The brilliant musician has become  internationally known for his emotional and artistic performances.

If you are interested in music and want your child to play guitar, you should consider several factors, when deciding whether a child should learn classical, electric or modern acoustic guitar. You should consider the child’s level of interest, what he/she hopes to accomplish, and what you as a parent wish for your beloved one to gain. Consider the following information before making your choice!

Classical Guitar Lessons Provide a Solid Foundation of Applied Theory

Music theory is the study of how music is created through the examination of the notation through which musical language is expressed, the patterns and structures within genres or time periods, and the various elements of music such as harmony, melody and rhythm.  Learning applied theory for classical guitar is a challenging prospect that can either excite or discourage potential students. Though many beginners are put-off by the anticipation of this commitment, students who dare to commit to learning classical guitar reap exponential rewards with far reaching applications. Young students, who learn classical guitar theory, gain a strong foundation of knowledge that can be applied to other aspects of music. These musicians will essentially be limitless in their ability to produce beautiful and cohesive pieces. By encouraging your child to learn classical guitar, you are giving him or her musical tools to play captivating music for a lifetime.

Classical Guitar Lessons Encourage Technique and Posture

 When playing classical guitar, musicians must pay careful attention to their posture, as well as to the movement and position of their hands and fingers. Classically trained teachers not only emphasize the best posture and positions for playing, but also show why these aspects are important. Practicing the controlled yet relaxed, compact yet fluid movements builds the student’s discipline and concentration. Hours spent practicing the precise movements required to produce the classical guitar’s delicate and expressive music ingrain in young students the concept that hard work can produce in great rewards. Through the study and practice of classical guitar, children learn that sincere effort can have copious benefits.

Classical Guitar Lessons Give Historical Perspective

Studying history of music does not just mean memorizing dates, events, or timelines. Learning history – any type of history – connects people to their past and provides “roots” and significance for their present-day lives. For the classical musician, learning the rich history of his or her instrument provides a sense of place and purpose within a larger story. Young students will follow the evolution of the classical guitar from its beginnings as an eight-stringed instrument in the 15^th century to its present form. Following the classical guitar’s journey from its early importance within the courts of European monarchs to its current position as a source of entertainment and joy for audiences around the world, students will gain the appreciation for their instrument and their own role as a classical guitarist.

Classical Guitar is Fun!

The classical guitar’s strings are made of nylon, which are soft on little fingers and may encourage beginners to practice and attend lessons. In addition, the classical guitar does not require any type of amplification system. Even without an amplifier, the classical guitar produces crisp and powerful, yet delicate, notes  that even the youngest student can learn to coax from their instrument. Players and audiences alike are captivated by the soulful and sensitive music, making the classical guitar a favorite instrument to play during gatherings of friends and family.

When the time comes to select the first guitar for your child,you should carefully consider the benefits of a classic instrument over an electric one. If you are still undecided about which direction to steer your child in, call Trio School of Music, Dance and Languages! We would be happy to talk with you and guide you through this important decision.

Trio School offers piano lessons to students of all ages and abilities, and seniors might find our classes especially beneficial for a variety of reasons. If you think you’re too old to learn to play the piano or to continue learning, think again! As long as your fingers can move, you can learn to play.

Why Should You Take Piano Lessons?

Retirement is the perfect time to take up new interests,  and studying music can be a rewarding challenge. In addition to providing physical and mental health benefits, the personal and social aspects of learning to play an instrument can be rewarding. The sense of accomplishment that comes with mastering a new or forgotten skill will be something you can enjoy and even share with your loved ones.

Physical Health Benefits

Whether your interest is piano, reading the sheet music and singing, or just learning the notation and  singing, you will find that studying music offers a wide range of physical challenges that can help to improve and strengthen your body in many ways. The skills involved in learning to play provide the physical benefit of practicing the fine motor skills.  Additionally, students engage in the practice of hand-eye coordination while learning how to read the sheet music.  Research shows that seniors may experience this way the additional physical benefits of improved eyesight and hearing. Finally, a study of the benefits of music lessons for seniors titled “The Music Making and Wellness Project” by Midori Koga with Frederik Tims indicates that seniors might experience “A 90% increase in levels of Human Growth Hormone (hGH), which normally decreases at a rapid rate as one ages.”  The Human Growth Hormone is linked to increased energy levels and decreases in the production of wrinkles and other signs of aging. From improving your hand-eye coordination to increasing energy, piano lessons offer innumerable physical health benefits.

Mental Health Benefits

Mature minds and bodies will find stress relief and mental challenge to be some of the rewards of learning to play an instrument. A study found that seniors displayed less signs of stress and depression after learning to play the piano. The process of learning to read sheet music and later applying this skill to playing the piano is a wonderful challenge for seniors who are eager to keep their mental faculties strong as they enjoy their later years. Additionally, many studies indicate that the processes involved in playing music give seniors the cognitive exercise their brains need to prevent memory loss and dementia.  If you are interested in studying the piano for the challenge of learning to read sheet music or the soothing effect the melodies you create might have on a tired brain, you will find that playing the piano provides a range of mental health benefits.

New Friendships and Relationships

If the physical and mental benefits of learning to play the piano and sing along to your music aren’t enticing enough, you might also experience the social benefits that come with taking lessons at Trio School as you meet your teacher and other students, forming new friendships and important relationships.

Challenges and a Sense of Mastery

Finally, learning to play the piano can enrich your life by challenging you to take on a new task and master it. Whether playing the piano makes you happier, more inspired, excited, empowered, or comforted, you will enjoy learning this new skill and maybe even sharing it with others as you show friends and family what you have learned. Possibly, you will even inspire the younger generation to join you in your pursuit of musical mastery. The excitement of learning a new skill and rejoicing as you make steady progress can be endlessly rewarding.

About Our Lessons:

During the piano lessons we offer at TRIO School, you’ll have the opportunity to learn to read music, play the piano according to your ability, and sing along with the music you are playing. You may want to start by working on some of the songs you may already know, such as favorites from your youth. You’ll be building skills toward reading and playing music while accompanying your own singing or the signing of your relatives. You will also have the opportunity to participate in recitals held at the school or at the Sunnyvale Senior Center.

Remember that it’s never too late to learn!

The Japanese violinist, Shinichi Suzuki, has pioneered the teaching  very young children (2.5 year-old and on) how  to play the violin. His method was based on an idea that children start learning speech while in the womb, and that is why they learn their mother tongue so quickly. In fact, children can speak fluently before they learn to read or write. He has  decided to apply the same concept  to music. In his opinion, that way, children would be  developing good habits in their most informative years.  He also  believed that, if children could learn music and to play an instrument, they would  apply their findings to their lives. In doing so, they would become better people who would help improve the world. He wrote, “I want to make good citizens. If a child hears fine music from the day of his birth and learns to play it himself, he develops sensitivity, discipline and endurance. He gets a beautiful heart.”

How  We Apply the Suzuki Method

When a mother, who believes that music education is important for her future child,  finds out that she is expecting, she should start playing music for the baby every day.  She can use recording and also learn how to play some instrument. In our Prenatal Music and Language Program, we do teach future mothers and fathers the basics of music theory, singing, and piano playing. This way, the babies start to learn the music while still in the womb. After the child is born, the mother should continue to sing and  to play music. This creates a proper environment for the child to stay immersed and interested in it. Classical and folk  music are the preferred types. The parents who have mastered playing piano, start to teach their children when those are 2+ year-old. For that, they need  to have smaller instruments that fit the child’s body. Usually, it is a tiny keyboard. Violin teachers use properly-sized violins. The learning by ear is emphasized. Children listen to the music and figure out how to match the sounds. As for reading music, under the normal Suzuki Method, children do not learn to read notation until they are older. But at Trio School they start right away, and usually they learn the notation fast. Our three-year-old pianists are ready to read music in both treble and bass clefs in two-three months after they’ve been exposed to music.

Why Should Parents Learn?

The parent involvement is very important. Without it, the children do not feel that music is as important as it should be, and they lose the motivation. In the early childhood, children can only learn through play, and it’s challenging for adults to always teach through the play. Parents should attend lessons and record them, and it’s  also recommended that they learn to play the instrument themselves. This way,  they will be able to stay involved in their child’s practice at home and keep the child excited about music. Children will be much more likely to stay interested in music if they see their parent has a passion it.

Why Go to All the Trouble?

Like Suzuki, he  Trio School teachers believes that music can make people better. Music can teach children to be serious and dedicated adults who still have an appreciation for the finer things in life. They will go on to seek out lives that are not easy but full of meaning and purpose. Music reflects  the beauty of the world,  and through music, children and  will make the world more beautiful. They will change the world. Research shows that students trained in music are better students and workers. They have better time management and study skills and are generally able to handle stress better.

You are the one to make a correct decision!

A baby’s ear begins to form in its 3^rd week and is starting to work by the 16^th week. At this point the baby cannot “hear” but it can respond to pulses. At week 20, the cochlear structures have formed. This is about when the program recommends starting to talk, to sing, and to play music to the baby. Between week 24 and 28, the nerves connecting the ear to the brain are visible in scans so we know that at this point the baby can hear just fine.

It is also interesting to note that, while the baby can hear sounds from outside the womb, the amniotic fluid muffles the noise so sounds are indistinct. But the mother’s voice is not just transmitted to the baby through the air; it is also transmitted through her bones. Since sound vibrations travel more efficiently through solid material than air or liquid, the mother’s voice is the loudest and clearest sound the baby will hear before it is born. This makes the mother’s influence over the baby so important while it grows and develops. She will be its first teacher.

You may be saying that this is all very interesting but why is it important? Research has shown that babies begin to learn language and sound structure while they are in the womb. All the different tones and rhythms of language that we take for granted are more intricate that most people realize. While the baby cannot hear very well, it can still feel and hear the vibration patterns of sound. The more it hears these sounds, the more familiar they become. This is thought to be the reason why children pick up their native language so fast. They begin learning it before they are born.

As for music, babies respond to different rhythms and tones in music. During the experiments, where babies were viewed with ultrasound while music was played, they were even seen to “dance”. Something else to consider is that, after they are born, babies still respond to music that they heard while in the womb. A song or music score that was sung or played frequently before birth, then played after birth, gets the babies’ attention, and their heart rate drops, and their movements decrease.

There is no question that sounds, especially the voices of their mothers, have an effect on unborn children.  How do we use this knowledge to help their development? In the Prenatal Music and Language program, parents will use some basic tools to accelerate their baby’s learning. The program is an eight – week course taught to a group, which will teach parents basic music skills and provide them with the most important speech patterns to be used. The fundamental idea is to teach parents how to sing lullabies and accompany them on the keyboard or piano, and to teach them how to interact with their babied before birth and immediately after they’ve been born. In doing so, the parents will be learning pitch and rhythm and mastering creative movements. The best part is that, while the parents are learning, so are the children! This will make it easier for the babies to pick up language and music as they grow up, because they will already know it. What parent wouldn’t want to give their child that sort of head start?

Learning a second language stimulates growth and connections in the language centers of the brain

The kinds of complex connections that a child’s developing brain makes when learning a second language have a spillover effect in other aspects of his or her cognitive development. A child’s ability to make connections, draw parallels, identify similarities and differences, and even to see the world from an entirely different perspective or paradigm is all enhanced by learning a second language. In the case of Russian, where not only are many of the language constructions significantly different from English, but even the alphabet is distinct, the brain is encouraged to stretch even further. Ultimately, this mental exercise facilitates the development of creativity and the ability to see “outside the box,” increases problem solving skills, and of course makes learning other languages that much easier. Learning a second language can increase general academic performance in children and therefore the spectrum of choices available to them in terms of career paths that they may eventually choose to follow.

Learning Russian can broaden career opportunities later in life

Russia as a country has always been a major economic force in the world, with its vast hold of resources, expertise and industry. It will likely continue to be so well into the future, and in fact may become increasingly significant in the global economic playing field as other resource bases diminish and Russia’s stronghold experiences increased demands. Regardless of your child’s inclinations and eventual career path, there will always be a need for bilingual experts in a broad range of professions that involve interaction between Russia’s economy and that of the English-speaking world. So, having the Russian language under their belt will give children potentially lucrative options within industries that require functionally bilingual professionals.

Learning Russian can help children to understand different cultures, and is vital to understanding their own cultural origins, if they happen to be Russian

Language is much more than a means of communication. In many ways, it’s a document of a people’s history and cultural development. Language defines parameters and determines ways of thinking and viewing the world. Learning different languages gives a child the blessing of alternate ways of seeing things, allows for the cultivation of a broader range of ideas and increases the possibility for making connections between different points of view. If they happen to be of Russian background, learning their mother tongue will help them to understand where they come from and give them a broader scope for where they could go with their lives. If they have the opportunity to travel to Russia in the future, they will have the possibility for a much deeper and richer experience, both in terms of understanding the country and its people, and also in terms of the potential for social interaction, forging friendships and generally cultivating deeper relationships with Russian-speaking people.

Here is a story about one of former students of TRIO, school of Music, Dance and Languages ( www.trio-school.com) , where Russian is taught by native speaker of this language, who got their linguistic and music education in the former USSA and have been teaching in the US for more than a decade.
The young man, our former student of the Russian language and music, is the living proof of the benefits that can come from giving a child the opportunity to learn Russian as a second language. Although he was raised in a typical USA environment, his parents of Russian origin made it a priority for him to know his mother tongue. When he was growing up, his academic performance was always at the top of the class, and in university he not only continued his studies in Russian language and literature, but also challenged himself with a third language and became proficient in Spanish. He found learning a third language to be much easier, and was able to make connections between Spanish and both the Russian and English languages. As a result of his Russian proficiency, he not only has been able to better identify with his own culture, but also has been more adept at understanding other cultures. He has had many rich experiences traveling to Russian- and Spanish-speaking countries, making friends and generally having a deeper experience of the cultures in which he found himself. He also has had more choices in terms of job opportunities that require the knowledge of Russian.
Do not hesitate to give your children the same blessing he was given. The proficiency in Russian will enrich their lives in so many ways.

I`m deeply convinced that music education should be started as early as possible – even before your baby is born!

This concept is not very new, I should say: many ancient eastern civilizations attach a vital importance to the period in a woman`s life when she is expecting a baby. The old traditional cultures consider pregnancy  to be a sacred  period that predetermines the future life of the child. There always existed a system of limitations and taboos defining the things that are prohibited to do for the future mother because they can be harmful to the future baby or even might ruin his life. Though modern people commonly  believe that those things are just superstitions there is a good sense in most of those old “rules of conduct”, because there is a very wise idea at the basis for them. This idea is in harmony with the results of modern scientific research: the emotional bonds that connect a pregnant woman and the fetus are so close that they both form a symbiosis. The woman`s spirits, attitude to life, people and the situation, as well as the psychological climate  and the environment in general in which a pregnant woman  lives – all these factors immensely affect the future baby.

For instance, in the ancient China there existed a popular belief that pregnant women should avoid views of sufferings and disasters, and shouldn`t use foul language. They should spend their time  admiring lovely sceneries and looking at healthy children,  and should be involved in good deeds. They should avoid all negative thoughts. Isn`t it logical and wise, from the modern point of view?

Nowadays many scientists display interest in prenatal bringing up. Recent scientific researches proved that the fetus scans all the information received through its mother`s senses and records it on the cell level.

During the first 3 months the mother`s emotions are the main source of this information. That is why trying to maintain  a state of happiness, to live in harmony with herself and with the whole world, are of vital importance for a pregnant woman that  wants to bear a healthy baby and bring up a harmoniously developed person.

Marie-André BERTIN, a president of French national association of prenatal upbringing writes in one of her works:

“Within the prenatal being… each cell collects information as it is forming and consequently, the child is learning while it is forming.

•  When a child is born, it already has a past of nine months, in which a large part of her/his personality has been founded”.

Marie-André Bertin also admits that music has a paramount importance in a prenatal upbringing.

“A fetus perceives the music that his mother is listening. His reaction is selective. So that Beethoven and Brahms excite him, and Mozart and Vivaldi soothen him. Speaking to rock music there is only one thing we can say: rock music makes him crazy! Often future mothers have to leave the concert hall during a rock concert because the fetus expresses his protest moving frantically. Mothers should listen not to rock but to other kind of music, that uses perfectly-structured harmonies”.

http://www.naturalprenataleducation.com/NPE/Welcome.html

Listening to classical music is the perfect choice, as you can see.

The matter of influence of prenatal period on the development of future child is  also studied by many American  researchers, for instance by Giselle Whitwell who is a practicing prenatal music therapist and lives in the Los Angeles area. She has been a music educator for 20 years and gives lectures and workshops on prenatal music in the United States, Asia, and Europe. She describes her experience in her article “The Importance of Prenatal Sound and Music”.

If you want to know more about, it you can read these books:

Campbell, Don. (1997). The Mozart Effect, New York: Avon Books.

Shetler, Donald J. (1989). The inquiry into prenatal musical experience: A report of the Eastman Project 1980-1987. Pre- and Peri-Natal Psychology Journal, 3(3), 171-189.

Woodward, Sheila C. (1992). The Transmission Of Music Into The Human Uterus And The Response To Music Of The Human Fetus And Neonate (Doctoral Thesis, Dept. of Music Education, University of Cape Town, South Africa.

Polverini-Rey, R. A. (1992). Intrauterine musical learning: the soothing effect on newborns of a lullaby learned prenatally. Dissertation Abstracts # 9233740.

Shetler, Donald J. (1989). The Inquiry Into Prenatal Musical Experience: A Report of the Eastman Project 1980-1987. Pre- and Perinatal Psychology Journal, 3(3), 171-189.

http://birthpsychology.com/journal-article/importance-prenatal-sound-and-music

In the book of Russian researchers Ilyin А.М., Ilyina L.P  “The ABC –Book of the XXI–th Century or How to Teach Children to Read, Count and Think” some special exercises for prenatal education are described in detail.

During the period of first 3-6 months the organs of senses and the brain centers that are related with these centers, start to form in the fetus.

That`s why it is advisable for mother to touch various objects with different surfaces and to listen to various sounds.

The researchers advise to practice this, for instance: “Press any key on the piano and try to concentrate on the sensations that a certain sound causes in you. Repeat the procedure with another key, and so on. Compare the sounds that are produced by adjacent keys and remember what you feel. You should also listen attentively how sound various human voices: male`s, female`s, and children`s”.

In 6 months after the conception an inner ear is developed in the fetus, and the inner ear starts functioning. It perceives sounds and transmits the relevant signals to the brain. It means that the fetus becomes capable of  recognizing speech. Remember that from now on the fetus possesses 3 sources of information: the mother`s emotional state, her speech and her attitude to him.

To put it in a word “when a child is born, it already has a past of nine months, in which a large part of her/his personality has been founded” (Marie-André Bertin).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzuki_method

For teaching music Suzuki applied  the same principle that he observed in actual life: when it comes to his native language, a child begins to speak before he learns to read. And before the kid begins to speak there exists a period when he only listens and tried to understand his parent`s speech addressed to him. The more he listens the quicker he starts to speak himself.

Applying this theory to music education for little students of music, learning music by ear is predominant, and may come long before learning to read musical notation.

The essential thing in this method is the importance of creating the relevant musical “environment” for learning music.

It means: immersion in music, living in the musical atmosphere.  If parents intend to bring up musically gifted children it is  not necessary for mothers and fathers to be  professional musicians themselves, but they can add more music into their lives. They can go to the concerts, operas and ballets, they can watch classical music programs on TV and home cinema/video, and listen them on radio/CD. And there will never be too much when it comes to listening to music.

It is not advisable to involve children in listening to rock, because music of this style is characterized by a wide use of dissonances and rhythms brought to musical content by “modern civilization”. Pop music is not so bad, but you should remember that a limited set of musical means is used in it. It goes without saying that parents shouldn`t forget to  familiarize children with the best pieces of  piano music played by great maestros.  After all, if you choose a piano as a musical instrument for your child, you should show him how heavenly it can sound.

One of the main principles of the Suzuki philosophy is: every child is naturally talented.  But every aptitude can be revealed only if a person is involved in the relevant activity.

Whether this talent will be discovered and developed, or it will fade away – wholly and completely depends on us, parents and teachers.