Learning music make your child smarter!!!

Although, there have been various searches related to music and students psychology earlier to this yet, Northwestern University this time has bring forth an amazing impact of learning music. Researchers have concluded that music education greatly influences the nervous systems of children and it is of great help in developing their reading skills.

For studying this amazing fact, a number of students were hooked to a neural probe. The whole procedure was organized to see how easily children distinguished similar speech sounds. There were two categories; the first group comprised of kids with two years of music education and the second had children with one year of lessons. Doing so, they differentiated the response of their brains to the music education. It was found that one year was not sufficient to have a perfect impact. The findings of this experiment were astounding. First of all, it’s a big mistake to take music education as a quick fix. It needs to be ongoing part of their education for having an intense and lifelong effect on their listening and learning skills.

Besides, researchers have also proved that music education facilitates learning other subjects. Making music includes much more than just voice and fingers playing an instrument. While learning music one need to tap into multiple skill sets, making best use of their ears, eyes and brain too. Another surprising fact is that the children having their music lessons regularly are on an average three IQ points higher than the others. It sharpens their senses, makes them efficient and raises their grades!

Singapore Awards Volunteers and Institutes with President's Award for the Environment

What exactly makes Singapore the global leader in technology, education, and environmental spotlessness? Certainly, it’s continuous and well-timed appreciation of those who contribute to these areas of work in any manner!

Living up to its standing once again, the nation has recently awarded two educational institutes and an individual with the esteemed President’s Award for the Environment. All the awards were recognized for contributing constantly and selflessly to the intactness of the environment.

The first awardee is Eugene Heng, the founder and chairman of Waterways Watch Society, an environmental group in Singapore. The 65 year-old has devoted as many as 16 years of his life to the good cause of observing and taking care of waterways in his country. With his dedicated volunteers, Mr. Heng is often busy identifying and removing litter in rivers and reservoirs. Undoubtedly, he well deserved the nation’s highest environmental accolade!

The other two awardees are the Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP) and Institute of Technical Education (ITE). Both these educational institutes have been actively promoting environmental consciousness among their students. They have also included certain environment-related subjects and courses in their curricula.

On Tuesday, all the three awardees received a certificate and trophy at Istana from Tony Tan Keng Yam, the President of Singapore. The award recognizes individuals and groups for their input towards the environment. 

Music Practice Time Tips for Beginners

If you dream to earn fame as a musician, you will probably have to give every bit of yourself in it. You will have to spend continuous hours practicing and perfect the art.

Although, professional musicians have dedicated practicing schedule, beginners can face certain difficulties in managing time. Because students have to complete school work and assignments, they will always find it hard to devote time to music practice sessions.

For that reason, we have listed some easy practice time tips for beginners suggested by music tutors in Singapore:

Spare an Hour Everyday For Practice

Try dedicating at least one hour daily from your routine for practice. Make sure that stick to this schedule. You could either devote an hour in the morning or evening.

In case, you skip the routine for a day, try to cover up with extra time in following sessions.

Warm Ups and Finger Exercises

To be a good musician, you need to warm up and exercise your fingers before every practice session. Preparing your fingers beforehand, will provide them flexibility and will make them run with no risks of injuries.

Exercising the fingers is even more important if your children are learning how to play string instruments.

Take Practice Sessions Seriously

Music course tutors in Singapore recommend dedicated practice session every day. You should also try to keep a record of your child’s learning.

Besides, it’s vitally that your kids should have open interactions with their music teachers to learn without stressing themselves.

You can set daily tasks for the kids, and reward them on completion.

Gradually Increase the Learning Time

As a beginner, it’s virtually impossible to spend hours practicing musical notes. Therefore, a beginner must start his practice, let’s say 20 minutes and then gradually add five minutes every week.

Just follow these tips and within no time you will observe significant improvement in the level of music skills. 

Pre-Schools with Strong Focus on Arts Education Are Growing in Popularity Now

Arts education during pre-school years is one fun way to help your child learn and develop perceptual abilities and you probably know that.

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Art is an essential animated element of every kid’s infancy; it sets that perfect foundation for a young mind’s development. Tender minds have a sharper perception to learn new things and they develop an inclination towards arts education with time.

Unlike other preschool subjects, kids show greater proclivity for arts and crafts. However, one thing we parents don’t realize is how arts as basic pre-school leaning is inventively shaping you those young minds with better communication, problem solving and social skills.

Explaining the importance of arts in child’s education during the formative years and its popularly in preschools, we have a perfect illustration of preschool story about Patrina Lew and her 4 year old daughter Heather.

Even before Heather made it to this beautiful world, her mother Patrina Lew was busy planning a perfect pre-school life for her. And just about three months after Heather’s birth, Mrs. Lew had already registered her daughter’s name at Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts Kindergarten.

As an expecting mother, Mrs. Lew always wanted her daughter to be in a preschool that doesn’t completely focus on an “academic” environment. So, she chose Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts Kindergarten after receiving quite a few suggestions from her friends.      

Now after four years of preschool learning, Heather still loves practicing arts and has also developed incredible learning skills.

Like Mrs. Lew, there are several parent groups in Singapore who emphasize on arts as a basic preschool subject. Fortunately, preschools like Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts Kindergarten and Creative O Preschoolers Bay have emerged as perfect solutions for parents seeking to impart arts education to their little ones. 

Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts Kindergarten has always been a preferred option among the parents and some even register the name almost three years in advance. But, the pre-school only registers kids between the ages of 3 to 6. It has a scheduled daily art program and includes topics like dance, music, art and drama.

When The Creative O Preschoolers Bay started in 1998, they just had a handful of pupils but now they have more than 30 students on its waiting list.

Even principals of both the institutes explained how kids from their preschools have shown superior aptitude to learn new things at the school level. Besides, parents have responded with encouraging feedback's and are pleased with their children’s academic records.               

Top 5 Reasons to Play A Musical Instrument

There is no age to learn music and it is not rocket science. The thought of playing an instrument might scare a few of us and it is really not that difficult too. With the right guidance anybody can learn to play any instrument.

Let’s look at five top reasons, why learning to play a musical instrument is a good thing.

1. It’s A Great Stress Buster

Reports have shown that playing an instrument is a great way to beat stress. It helps in lowering the blood pressure and also slows the heart rate. When somebody gets into the routine of playing music daily, it is an activity he looks forward to.

2. It Makes You Smart

It is often seen that children who get a musical education are smarter than those who don’t. Their grades are also better in academics. It enhances the overall skill sets of the students and this why Music education in Singapore is being highly encouraged by the government. Students and parents can choose from a number of music courses in Singapore, depending upon the interests of the children.

3. It Improves the Social Life

Learning music definitely helps in connecting with the social world. Children who learn music have better developed social skills than those who don’t. They are able to relate to others more easily. They become better team members and can also develop their leadership skills.

4. It Helps In Building Your Confidence Level

Children who opt for music lessons have greater confidence than those who don’t. Once the effort and the ability to do something starts getting appreciated, it gets converted into a greater level of confidence.

5. It Teaches Children to Be Patient:

Music teachers have always shared the opinion that children learn to be patient by taking up music lessons. The effort that goes in daily, combined with the mistakes of learning, make them more patient and disciplined.

Top 5 Ways to Enhance Learning

Kids are not capable of deciphering ways to enhance learning and get good grades all by themselves. They always look up to their teachers and parents for guidance. 

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If you’re also worried about the academic efficiency of your kids, here’s a list of ways that will help them gain better grip on learning concepts and improve concentration. Take a look:

1.    Implement Mnemonic Strategies

Mnemonic strategies are systematic procedures used for enhancing memory. Mnemonic is nothing, but a way of converting difficult and unfamiliar concepts into simpler or manageable versions.

To develop effective mnemonic strategies, tutors offering private tuition's in Singapore need to find innovative ways to relate new information to the information students already have locked in their memory. This will help in establishing firm connection, which the brain will retain for a lifetime.

2.    Designing Interesting Games  For Classroom Use

To provide enhanced learning experience to students, teachers can adapt a variety of interesting games. Such games can be inspired from popular brain tickling television shows such as Family Feud, Jeopardy, etc.

For instance, social studies teacher can use the game of Jeopardy by designing questions under various categories such as Culture, Current Events, Rights & Responsibilities and Geography. They may increase the level of difficulty with each category and offer lucrative awards for every correct answer to each student.   

3.    Encourage Creativity and Curiosity

Curiosity is a very crucial aspect of overall learning process. Children with high curiosity levels are often encouraged to learn from the questions that gain their attention and arouse an interest. Such students tend to be self-motivated and perform exceptionally well in school.

Creativity is closely related to curiosity and should be nurtured well. To accomplish this, private tuitions in Singapore should provide free time to students to help them learn and study subjects that interest them. 

4.    Integrate Technology

We are living in a tech-centric world, where most kids are already accustomed with the use of computers and numerous other gadgets. They are the early adopters, who are prepared in advance to use technology in schools as a part of their curriculum.

Purchasing a tablet PC or laptop for your child for educational purposes and fostering them to become proficient in its use can positively affect their current and future grades. 

5.    Keep Learning New Things

One sure shot way to become a more efficient learner is to simply keep learning new things. According to a research, children who learn how to juggle were seen with higher levels of grey matter in the occipital lobes. This part of the brain is associated with visual memory. However, when the kids stopped practicing newly acquired skills, their grey matter gradually vanished.

Suppose the kids are learning a new language at school, it becomes very important for parents and teachers to ensure the child starts to frequently use the language. If not practiced regularly, the child will soon lose grip on the language.

This concept is based on a simple yet effective “use it or lose it” formula. 

Benefits of Learning Music

If you’ve noticed, most people take pleasure in hearing music and are also able to feel lighter. Like most arts, music too needs complete dedication and commitment.

Having your kids take music lessons in Singapore can benefit them in several ways, which are:          

• Learning Music and Positive Impact On Cognitive Learning

Learning music at an early age helps our brain develop astoundingly well. It improves our learning attributes and amplifies on our lift section of the brain.

Music is directly related to spatial intelligence and acts as therapy for treating several major and minor mental disorders.

Music helps the mind to develop flexible intellect and enhances our communication skills.

• Music Can Boost Your Kids Overall Personality

 Music as we all know is great stress buster, but learning to play musical instruments improves memory too.

Learning music helps in overcoming fear of taking risks by helping us keep calm.

According to research, students learning music have higher confidence and have a more expressive mind.  

The percentage of drugs addiction in students learning music is considerably less to fellow teenagers.

• Learning Music Will Definitely Improve Academic Performance

Students learning to play musical instruments, show a certain tendency to opt for second languages or other skill activities.

Surveys on music education in Singapore show that students learning music score better in English and maths when compared with other students.

Students learning music have better vocabulary and reading skills.  

Besides percentage, students learning music have shown a better attendance records.

•  Music Introduces Discipline In Life And Also Excellence

While learning music, a student becomes more disciplined and focused. His communication skills improve

Students learning music have shown better evidences of team work, thinking skills and greater interest in studies.       

With music, your management and organization skills also improve a great deal.  

Technology in the Classroom: Helpful or Harmful?

The only counter argument that some groups give for technology in the class rooms is that it might ruin a natural learning atmosphere. The use of technology allows children to interact with other fellow students and educator’s sitting in any corner of the world. It will eventually wipe out the use of paper from our teaching methods and reduce the weights of school bags. All this will be possible only when teachers and students stand committed towards adaptation of technology.

                                        Image Credit: gettyimages

Let’s have a look at this issue in detail.

1. Openings For New Learning

The two groups of thinkers have different set of arguments for and against the introduction of technology in classrooms. Some think that conventional methods of teaching should not be changed. Others believe that technology can open a large number of doors for learning. Some believe that technology causes distractions and break in the momentum of learning. Some children might get distracted by technology but in the long run it opens avenues for constructive and meaningful methods of learning. A common example is a laptop that offers better control and a huge amount of flexibility in comparison to a smart phone or tablet.

2. Technology is more Commonly found

People today are commonly using tablets, laptops and smart phones. So why should children be denied to move in step with the rest of the population? Schools should strive to make their children ready for the world. Asking them to switch to an old fashioned style of learning for eight hours and then back to a modern living scenario when out of school, is not being fair. School should wake up and face the facts and train their teachers in proper use of technology.

3. Opportunity For Interaction

ImageCredit: cdn.phys.org

Children can access any information under the sky with the use of technology. In school they should not just hear about it, instead get a chance to explore endless options. Gone are the days when children heard about things from their teachers. They can now interact with other students and teachers in different parts of the world. Utilities like Skype and other programs have made classrooms into world learning centers. They can talk to teachers and other learners and find out about their nations and their qualities firsthand. Technology also helps teachers to become global teachers by interacting with an educator sitting anywhere on the globe. They can together strive to make teaching more meaningful and productive for all students combined.

4. Ground Realities 

Many schools have switched over to the new technology but their staff is lagging behind. Unless and until the staff is not trained and comfortable in using these devices the whole purpose will be lost halfway. Teachers need to put books and assignments online to reduce the weight in a student’s backpack. Only when the teachers will commit to learning the new technology, will this change towards the betterment be possible.

10 Tips for Math Success

Students who are good at mathematics are generally the ones who work hard and not the ones with some inborn talent. Yes, that is true. It’s just that mathematics at first demands more hard work than most other subjects. Once you get a hang of how to think around a problem and work your way to the solution, it gets easier and gradually becomes a mental reflex.  

Listed below are some of 10 very useful tips on mastering mathematics:

1.       Complete All Your Homework

Never consider your homework as your choice. Every day, practice what’s taught in class.

If you’re having a difficult time finishing your daily school assignments, it’s a good idea to opt for mathematics tuition in Singapore.

2.       Make Sure You Don’t Miss Out Any Class

You will always find that new concepts are discussed in almost every math class you attend. Missing out on one or more such classes can easily leave you puzzled.

If you have to miss classes due to some emergency, ask your mathematics tutor in Singapore to revise the lesson for you.

3.      Find A Friend To Be Your Study Partner

In case you are not able to make it to your class for any legitimate reason, find a good friend who can fill you in on your homework.

4.      Maintain Cordial Relationship With Your Teacher

In a big class, it is important to distinguish yourself in the eyes of your teacher.

Ask questions that bother you during a class to let your teacher recognize you and also to show that you are paying attention to what is being taught.

5.      Analyze And Understand Every Mistake

If you’re having tough time with algebraic calculations, for example, make it a point to spend some extra time on that each week. Until you get this one part right, you may find it difficult to master every other chapter in the book!

6.      Ask For Help Fast

In case you find something difficult, make sure you seek immediate assistance.

Do not just leave a problem unsolved. Ask a tutor for help or talk to a friend who’s good at mathematics.

Clear out all doubts during your math tuition in Singapore as private tutors are often very receptive for providing extra help.

7.       Don’t Resist Asking Questions

Questions are actually the carrier vehicles by which we learn. So when faced by a doubt, don’t hesitate to ask help from your math tutors in Singapore.

8.      Learn Your Basic Skills

Being well versed with the basics of mathematics is the foundation for future success.

Multiplication tables are the basis of maximum high school problems, for example. Many math tuition centers in Singapore emphasize on thorough learning of tables to students.

9.      Algebra (I) Must Be Mastered

Algebra (I) is very important for later math courses; students must master their algebra skills to effortlessly solve equations, slope, graphing along with simplification of radicals.  

10.   Understand What The Calculator Is Doing

  Understanding how to use the calculator is not sufficient.

  Students need to know the real significance of the answer.

  They should realize what the calculator is doing for them and analyze its answer.