The Benefits of Music in Early Development and Education

Art, Music, Drumming.  The value of music is often underestimated in the positive impact that it has on childhood development.  Kids who are involved in drumming, for example, learn to focus their attention and efforts on one activity improving concentration and focus.  Also, studies reveal that playing percussion instruments strengthen children’s skills in other areas such as math and science. 

Drumming teaches students about material science as well as the science of sound.  Beginning as early as first grade students can learn that each material, wood, metal, skin (drum heads), have their own capacity or ability for vibration.  Drumming teaches young students that sound occurs through vibration.  As students grow older, they can learn more about the science of sound.  Tuned percussion instruments such as a piano afford the opportunity to learn about frequency, intervals and harmony. 

Math is improved by drumming for example, because drumming teaches early elementary students to count.  It helps with basic counting and learning to count in cycles which are fundamental parts of drumming.   Drumming and percussion can also teach middle/elementary age students fractions and introduce the mathematics behind frequencies, intervals and harmonics. 

Drumming also helps with overall brain development and stimulates the left and right side of the brain simultaneously.  Little activities are involved in playing the drums, causing multiple parts of the brain to be used.  Kids have to use different parts of their brain to listen to music around them, to instruct their body to move and to create and understand either a rhythm given to them or to create one of their own.  Playing music develops analytical processes in the left side, whereas the right side is more involved in the creative process. Increased networks between the left and right brain form thick fibers that interconnect the two areas, an area that is larger for musicians.

Music is not only good for mental health and development in children, but it’s also great in helping kids develop physical fitness and in understanding how their body works.  Drumming increases your heart rate and blood flow.   Drumming teaches students about their body.  The entire body is used in drumming and most especially the fingers, hands, wrists, elbows, arms, shoulders and legs are all physically developed through drumming.  Children can also gain a better understanding of rhythm in their own body by realizing that the heart has its own steady rhythm to keep the body functioning properly and that breathing often involves rhythm too. 

Rolie Polie Guacamole!

Rolie Polie Guacamole performed an awesome show on Thursday, July 25 at the Children’s Museum in Easton! In case you missed it, or you just really enjoyed it, we spoke with lead singer and guitarist Frank Gallo to learn more about the band

RPG consists of Frank Gallo along with Andrew Tuzchilin on the bass and Peter Barr on the drums. The New York based band started in 2006. Frank’s father, Lou Gallo was a children’s musician and inspired Frank to follow in his footsteps. Frank called up his buddy Andrew and they got to work forming Rolie Polie Guacamole! With their first drummer Christian McCarthy, they demoed in 2006 and put out records in 2008, 2010, and 2012.

“We started out with the theme of eating healthy,” Frank recounts, “after playing some live shows we went more in the direction of movement. Now we’re focusing on the fitness aspect” Rolie Polie Guacamole focuses on healthy living. They say their mission is, “to engage audiences from 0-100 with catchy songs about staying active and eating healthy with an emphasis on movement.” Frank says they they’ve coined the term “musement” meaning music and movement: two things you are guaranteed to find at a RPG concert!

Among things to anticipate at a show, Frank says to expect “a tight band playing catchy songs. Parents should be happy when they go home with kids who want to take a nap!” He later summarizes with a laugh: “expect healthy goodness.”

Rolie Polie Guacamole loves performing for kids. Their favorite part? “They actually listen a lot better than adult audiences in a lot of ways!” Frank explains, “They know our lyrics, and they’re loyal fans. And the songs are really fun and wholesome which ends up making you feel really good after the show. I’ve noticed I smile a lot more after playing a show.”

It’s sufficed to say that everybody at a Rolie Polie Guacamole show leaves with a smile! Rolie Polie Guacamole shows truly involve everybody there. “The songs that directly engage the kids are always the best!” says Frank. There are songs that get the kids jumping, songs to get them singing, and songs to get them thinking! Parents will love to see their children having a blast and getting involved with music that has a positive message.

Right now RPG is working on expanding their reach. Where they mainly play shows from Massachusetts to Pennsylvania, they are moving to play more shows in Chicago, DC and even Seattle!

They won’t forget New England though! Frank ends the interview with stating, “We love coming to New England and hope to be back soon!”

If you’d like, you can catch Rolie Polie Guacamole this fall! They will be playing on October 19^th in Cambridge at Club Passim for a Halloween show!

Lastly, don’t forget to check out and pick up Rolie Polie Guacamole’s upcoming album “Triathlon” which will be coming out in early 2014. Find out more information on their website at http://www.roliepolieguacamole.com/

Exploring Music

Wednesdays are all about Exploring Music at the Children's Museum! Kerry Campbell teaches a fun, interactive class to toddlers and preschoolers centered around singing, playing, and learning. Today the children clapped sticks along to, "Little Red Caboose," recited a rainy day poem, shook egg shakers to the beat, sang a song with a silly crocodile guest, and danced underneath a big, bright parachute!

Kerry's background may be in early childhood eduction, but when budget cuts in her local school district took music, art, and gym away from students, including her son's 1st grade class, she took action. Kerry began teaching free music classes once a month for K-1st graders and as her popularity grew, so did her class schedule!

Kerry has been teaching at the Children's Museum for over a year now. She also holds classes at Julie's Dance Studio of East Bridgewater and Joyful Learning of East Bridgewater. Visit our website to plan a visit to explore music with us!

- Kerri, PR Intern