We’ve been sharing about why the brain evolved for rhythm.
But what does that tell us about why music like go-go can be good for children’s brain growth?
Let’s focus on 3 very important points:
Rhythm shapes young children’s brains.
The sophisticated rhythms in go-go music, of African and Caribbean origin, promote brain growth, beginning in infancy!
We know from research that young children’s brains are ready to learn complex rhythms; our job is to provide the exposure. You may not have musical training, or even as much cultural music exposure as you would like—but one of the beautiful things about music is how it can be shared. And children’s brains are wire for it!
The sounds + movements of rhythm facilitate listening skills. Why? Because listening in music (and in life) involves more than the ear—it’s a whole-body experience.
How do we know this? Research on music and brain development has shown that that the way we MOVE to rhythms influences how we HEAR them—even in babies! In science this is referred to as “sensorimotor integration”, meaning that the sensory systems (like hearing) integrate with motor systems, to create our experience of rhythm. Musical rhythm is not just for the ear, but for the whole body!
Rhythm fosters empathy and cooperation. When bodies move in time together, we experience a phenomenon called “rhythmic entrainment”, which refers to the ways in which we synchronize—that is, find connection— in time and in emotion.
The research not only teaches us that movement and hearing are integrated through rhythm starting in infancy, but that when babies move in synchrony with a stranger, they are more likely to show helping behavior towards them.
In other words, the same phenomenon that causes us to move our bodies in time together, promotes social connection in the form of cooperation.
Empirical research with babies shows that rhythmic synchronization—or entrainment—enables the sound AND movement to shape their brains, and facilitate cooperation.
Thus, the brain evolved to be sensitive to rhythmic timing, as in music and dance, because it enables these types of connection, and facilitates true cooperation… even from early childhood!
Sound like something we need more of right now?
We on the Finding Rhythm team think so, too!
Finding Rhythm: A journey through the musical brain, is short virtual show that is perfect for children who will enjoy singing and dancing along, and learning about how their brain is the source of their POWER.
Join us at the musical premiere of Finding Rhythm on December 19th!
It’s FREE, but you must register here! → https://bit.ly/34SvReR