REDDAM EARLY LEARNING SCHOOL WOOLLAHRA NEWSLETTER
Dee’s Message Dear Parents and Caregivers,
Albert Einstein once said that “I get the most joy in life out of music.” For someone who did so many incredible things in his life, the statement is remarkable indeed. And it intersects perfectly with others who have suggested that “Music is the language of the heart; it makes our soul dance with joy” and “This is the beauty of the relationship we have with music; the way it can bring small doses of joy into our lives.” Joy. And music. We can probably all relate to the connection between the two. Whether in experiencing joy as we listen to a beautiful piece of music. Or as we create our own music while humming away in a moment of contentment. Or even in the joy we feel as we listen to our children making their own music. Music and joy certainly seem inextricably linked in most of our lives – and there is plenty of both here in the ELS! The benefits of music on so many different levels has been proven over years of research. Not only does it work on an
3 March 2023 emotional and spiritual level, but researchers have shown that music has a powerful physiological effect too. When immersed in music, our body releases hormones such as dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin and endorphins, all of which give us the feel-good, uplifting and positive reactions which we associate with music. A 2007 paper, ‘Neuroscience of Joyful Education’ observed that “Joy and music, as with many creative forms, are intertwined. In fact, neuroimaging studies and measurement of brain chemical transmitters show that when people are engaged and motivated and feel minimal stress, information flows freely, they achieve higher levels of cognition, make connections, and experience ‘aha’ moments.” One way of engaging with your child in a musical, joyful way is through what has been referred to as ‘attunement play’. While broadly speaking this refers to any play in which an adult and young child ‘connect’ with each other through play, music is a wonderful avenue to do just that.
REDDAM EARLY LEARNING SCHOOL | WOOLLAHRA NEWSLETTER
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