Music aptitude is lost if not stimulated

Attribution

Howard Gardner, Frames of Mind, 1983 (pp. 44-45).

Edwin Gordon, A Music Learning Theory for Newborn and Young Children, 1997, (p. 2).

Item Text

When it comes to music aptitude, an early and appropriate music environment is key. The sooner children are immersed in a rich music environment, the more music aptitude they retain.

Howard Gardner writes, “the density of synapses in the human brain increases sharply in the first months of life, reaches a maximum at the ages of 1 to 2 (roughly 50% above the adult mean density), declines between the ages of 2 and 16, and remains relatively constant until the age of 72” (Frames of Mind, 1983, pp. 44-45).

Gardner adds, “The development process involves the pruning, or atrophying of the excessive connections which do not appear to be necessary.” What isn’t used or nurtured is lost.

Edwin E. Gordon concurs. In A Music Learning Theory for Newborn and Young Children (1997, p. 2), he points out

• Researchers believe cognition takes place in the brain’s cortex.
• The cortex has neurons that are interconnected by axons and dendrites, which are stimulated by synaptic activity.
• Children’s cortexes have an overabundance of cells to make these connections.
• Unless these cells are used to make connections during critical periods of brain development, they’re lost forever.
• Unless these cells are used to make connections for each of the senses at appropriate times, the cells will enhance only the senses that do use them.
• The neglected sense will be limited throughout life.

Links

http://www.menc.org/v/general_music/music-aptitude-use-it-or-lose-it

www.giml.org

Submitter Information

• Name: MENC staff
• Email: advocacy@menc.org