How
can you teach your child to concentrate, focus, and be disciplined about their
schoolwork?
Legendary
jazz musician, Louis Armstrong was a latch key kid who came home after school
to an empty house. His mom was out working and he was hanging out with the
wrong crowd. At the age of 9, Louis was arrested for the first time with five
other boys "for being dangerous and suspicious
characters” according to the Daily Picayune newspaper. He and the other boys
were taken to the Colored Waifs Home on Oct 21, 1910 and on Nov 8, 1910 Louis
was discharged to his Aunt.
Louis
continued getting into trouble, this time at the age of 11, he shot off a gun,
with blanks in it, into the air in New Orleans. The police took him back to the
Colored Waifs Home where the new warden, Captain Joseph Jones and assistant,
band director, Peter Davis had him join their new band. This time Louis learned
to play the cornet in the band. He learned to read notes on the musical score,
how to concentrate, focus, be disciplined, and work with others in the band.
After
18 months, a year and a half, Louis was released, no longer a youth in crisis.
He started playing jobs on the cornet they loaned him at the Colored Waifs
Home. Louie Armstrong credited learning to play the cornet in the band with
Peter Davis and Captain Jones as the turning point in his life.
Katy
Wright’s article “Big Noise Orchestras” of Scotland has for six years worked
with underprivileged children, ages 6-13.
Researchers have noted the “exceptional achievement” in these children’s
academic work.
What
are the three ways your child can toot their own horn just like Louis
Armstrong?
1)
By
learning to play that horn or other instrument, your child will learn to read
the notes on a musical score, improving their reading skills.
2)
Your child will learn to concentrate,
focus, and organize their minds, to be disciplined, and to work with others in
a band or orchestra.
3)
They
will also learn the importance of cleaning and taking care of their instrument,
which will give them self -esteem and self -worth.
What
are the 3 things you will have to get used to when your child studies a musical
instrument?
1)
The
first sounds coming out of your child’s instrument are not going to sound
pretty. So keep an open mind. On a side note, as a child of 8, practicing my
violin for the first time, my Momma had to close the door of my room when I was
practicing and invested in a mute for my violin so the sound would not carry
out of the room. A few years later, when I had improved and began winning
prizes and scholarships, she opened the door.
2)
Your
child will learn to take care of their musical instrument and will begin to
clean their messy rooms as well.
3)
Your
child will begin to get better grades in school.
What
are you waiting for? The summer is a terrific time to have your child begin
studying a musical instrument. Their future is in your hands. Help them to be a success!
Madeline Frank, Ph.D., DTM, has for over 30 years helped
children and adults overcome problems through playing a musical instrument. Dr.
Frank, an award winning teacher, college professor, researcher, speaker and
concert artist has found a scientific link between studying a musical
instruments and academic and societal success. Her Amazon.com bestseller, “The
Secret of Teaching Science & Math Through Music” is newly updated as an e-book on Kindle, Nook, or iBook with links to
her monthly radio show, "Madeline's One Minute Musical Radio Show".
She also writes a monthly newsletter "Madeline's Monthly Article &
Musical Tips Blog”. To contact Madeline
for your next speaking engagement: mfrankviola@gmail.com