2010-02-01 06:24:28
Learning a musical instrument at primary school can boost a child's confidence
and learning in other areas, a report suggests.
Nine out of 10 schools asked about a government-funded scheme that teaches
pupils to play instruments in a group, said the process raised self-esteem.
Many teachers said the scheme led to more positive attitudes to learning and
improved motivation in other subjects.
The groups are run in 6,500 schools in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The study by the University of the Arts, London, focuses on the Wider
Opportunities Programme, in which eight and nine-year-olds learn to play an
instrument together as a class for free. Even the class teacher joins in and
learns to play.
They are not competing against each other, they have to collaborate
John Witchell Federation of Music Services
Some 97% of primary head teachers and staff in the 1,389 schools in England,
Wales and Northern Ireland who took part in the research said pupils looked
forward to lessons and enjoyed playing instruments.
Many of the teaching staff said team-working skills had improved as a result,
as had pupil concentration.
The scheme also had an "empowering effect" on some of the participating
children, the study said.
'Whole child'
John Witchell, chief executive of the Federation of Music Services, which
commissioned the report, said there was a lot of evidence from all the people
who responded about the wider impacts, such as better motivation and improved
behaviour.
"It's one of those activities that is a social activity where all the children
work together," he said.
"They are not competing against each other, they have to collaborate and use
their minds and bodies to produce the music.
"They also have to use their emotions to enable self-expression as well."
In terms of music education, the study found learning an instrument in class as
effective as small group tuition.
The programme was particularly useful as an introduction to learning an
instrument, identifying talent and in promoting a joyful experience that
benefits the "whole child's development".
A spokesman for the Department for Children, Schools and Families said:
"Children get tremendous value from music, both as a subject in its own right
and as a means of motivating students to reach higher levels of attainment
across the curriculum.
"Learning to play a musical instrument can encourage the development of
listening and concentration skills, appropriate behaviour, self-motivation,
communications skills and teamwork."