The Music Advantage

Brain research has revealed something extraordinary. Learning music and listening to music can grow and repair our brains at any age. Simply clapping in time can help a young child who is struggling with reading. Learning an instrument can dramatically help children of all ages improve their ability to focus on school work, and with their memory and behaviour. Playing in an orchestra can help children develop social skills. Learning music can give every child an advantage, whether they are already doing well at school or not coping. Dr Anita Collins has visited the labs of leading neuromusical researchers around the world and trialled their techniques herself. With real examples from home and school and practical strategies, she shows how parents and teachers can support children's development with music from birth to the teenage years. 'Dr Collins' exuberance and infectious enthusiasm shine through as she persuasively argues for the importance of music in every child's education' - Professor Alan Harvey, author of Music, Evolution and the Harmony of Souls