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20 - The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday February 7, 2007 www.oakvillebeaver.com EDUCATION IN OAKVILLE Music education can open the door to success There is a wealth of evidence that indicates that music lessons offer children intellectual benefits that put them ahead of others who do not participate in music education. These advantages include higher grades and IQ scores, a lower propensity to misbehave and a fine-tuning of their sensitivity to emotion in speech. The current television programming lineup may be an indication of how arts appreciation has experienced a resurgence in recent years. Shows like American Idol, So You Think You Can Dance, Dancing With the Stars and other musical/variety shows are reintroducing the masses to the enjoyment of music and arts, albeit in a mainstream way. However advertiserdriven or formatically cookie-cutter they may be, they're serving to showcase music to all ages of viewers, engaging youngsters in the process. But watching television or listening to music is not enough to gain the benefits of music. One must be involved in the education process to see the best results. Success in school is one of the easiest-measured gains of music participation. For example, a study of 237 second-grade children used piano keyboard training and newly designed math software to demonstrate improvement in math skills. The group scored 27 percent higher on proportional math and fractions tests than children who used only the math software, according to "Enhanced learning of proportional math through music training and spatial-temporal training," Neurological Research 21. Other studies have pointed to music participants receiving more A's and Bs than non-music students. Music does not have benefits in education or behavior alone. It also helps to create a well-rounded student who goes on to become a well-rounded adult. Very often music education can serve as the entryway to new careers, relationships, business ventures and many other opportunities. Since music is a worldwide language, the opportunities music provides are global. Many colleges, universities and employers are apt to consider a person with musical training first because music sets that individual apart from others. Music should be encouraged both at school and at home. Piano practice or involvement in a school band or chorus can be much more than enjoyable extracurricular activities. These activities can lay the groundwork for a lifetime of success. Recognizing the signs of learning disabilities As any parent of a school-aged child knows, kids can be cruel. Such cruelty is only further magnified when children have a learning disability, one that noticeably comes to light in the classroom. While this can make kids feel as if they're not as smart as the rest of the class, that's typically not the case. Children with learning disabilities can be of average or above-average intelligence. For parents, recognizing the different types and symptoms can be a great way to help kids avoid having to struggle needlessly. DYSLEXIA Most people have heard of dyslexia and are probably aware it's a disability where the brain has trouble processing information correctly. Children with undiagnosed dyslexia can be at a major disadvantage, as classroom activity usually revolves around reading and writing. These are areas where dyslexia typically causes its biggest problems. While dyslexia is not a reflection of a child's intelligence, poor grades can result if the problem is undiagnosed. Part of what makes dyslexia so difficult to diagnose is that children often don't exhibit signs of the disorder early on. Early reading and writing, for instance, typically poses no problem. However, as studies shift toward grammar, reading comprehension and more in-depth writing, children with dyslexia begin to struggle. Another symptom to look out for is trouble speaking and understanding others. Difficulty with vocabulary as well as structuring thoughts are symptoms, as is difficulty comprehending what others are saying. Perhaps the most damaging aspect of any of these symptoms is the effect on a child's self-image. As mentioned, dyslexia is not a reflection of intelligence, but children, especially those whose problem goes undiagnosed, can false ly assume that it is. Continued on Page 31 Learn About Canada CITIZENSHIP TEST PREPARATION *No Charge 6 SATURDAY CLASSES 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. OAKVILLE ADULT LEARNING CENTRE 171 Speers Road Oakville FEBRUARY 10 - MARCH 31, 2007 REGISTER NOW: Adult Learning Centre LINC/ESL Office ­ [905] 849-7555 ext. 223 Thomas Merton Catholic Secondary School Your Link the Future Charnwood Co-op School 228 Chartwell Rd., Oakville (southeast Oakville) Charnwood School Presents: Open House and Parenting Speaker Guest Speaker ­ Parenting Coach Terry Carson Topic: "You're Not the Boss of Me" Wednesday February 21, 2007 7:30 p.m. (Open House prior to Guest Speaker ­ 6:30pm) $5.00 admission Call for details 905-844-4250 Over 30 years of co-operative spirit