In our world today, technology has dominated our everyday life, which makes it easy to forget the powerful role that music and art play in the growth and development of children's brain. For homesteading parents, gardeners, and eco-conscious families, raising children is not just about academic success, but includes nurturing creativity, emotional intelligence and a deep connection to nature and the world around them.
Many will surely understand the joy of watching a child paint a mural on the garden wall or hum a tune while helping in the chicken coop. Truth be told, music and art are not just hobbies for children, but essential tools for building brighter, smarter, more resilient and emotionally healthy children.
The Science of Brain Development
Scientists have shown that the early years of children's life are the critical period for brain development. From birth to about six years, the child's brain forms more than 1 million new neural connections every second. All these connections formed are influenced by the child’s environment, interactions and experiences.
Whether it is through listening to the sounds of birds chirping in the garden or painting a handmade sign for the chicken coop, our children’s brains thrive when exposed to multisensory experiences.
How Music and Art Affects the Brain
Music or coordinated sounds activates multiple areas of the brain. This includes those areas responsible for language, motor skills and emotional processing. Art on the other hand, stimulates creativity, enhances visual-spatial skills and improves problem-solving abilities in children.
When a child is singing a song while planting seeds in the garden or making some little sketches on the wall, the child's brain is actively creating pathways that support cognitive growth, emotional intelligence and memory retention and proved by scientists.
How Music Enhances Brain Development in Children
It is important to know that music is not just for entertainment but serves as a form of neurological workout. This is because when one listens to it, It stimulates multiple areas of the brain, thereby improving reasoning. The following are ways it helps them;
a. Boosts Cognitive Skills
Research have shown that children who are exposed to music early on time, tend to have better problem-solving skills, critical thinking and focus. The rhythm and repetition in music help improve memory and pattern recognition-skills that are helpful in subjects like mathematics and science.
For example, when a child learns a traditional Nigerian folk song or even a simple nursery school rhyme, they are not only enjoying themselves but also, training their brains to recognize patterns and sequences.
b. Enhances Language and Communication
Another aspects music helps children is in pick up vocabulary, sentence structures and pronunciation. Singing songs or rhymes improves phonetic awareness, which is a critical skill for learning to read and write.
For homesteading families who often focus on homeschooling or alternative education systems, integrating music into daily lessons can make learning more engaging and effective.
c. Improves Emotional Intelligence
Music is deeply emotional. A child can feel different moods such as joy, sad, calm or excitement through a single tune. Teaching children to play an instrument or simply encouraging them to sing during their daily activities can help them process emotions and develop empathy.
d. Music and Fosters Discipline and Patience
Learning an instrument or practicing a song requires repetition, discipline and patience. These are life skills that extend far beyond music and into every area of the children’s life. They can patiently care for poultry birds and other livestocks.
It is advisable to play soft instrumental music while your children are planting or harvesting. The calm atmosphere will enhance focus and make the task more enjoyable.
The Importance of Art in Children’s Brain Development
While music ignites auditory and emotional pathways, art on the other hand engages visual-spatial and motor skills, which offers children a platform for self-expression and innovation. Below are more detailed ways arts help in children's brain development;
a. Enhances Creativity and Innovation
Children who engage in art are naturally encouraged to think outside the box. Whether it is drawing shapes in the soil or sketching image on the writing boards, art helps to foster creativity and also improves children's ability to approach challenges with innovative solutions.
b. Improves Fine Motor Skills
Motor skills which are essential for handwriting, tying shoelaces and using tools effectively are enhanced by activities as simple as holding a paintbrush, sculpting clay or even weaving baskets that requires precise hand-eye coordination.
For families who spend time creating handmade crafts for their homes or gardens, involving children in these activities can significantly boost their motor development.
c. Builds Confidence and Self-Esteem
There’s something magical about a child holding up a finished piece of art with pride. Art provides a sense of accomplishment and validation. Whether it is painting a mural on the homestead shed or drawing a picture of their favorite animal, children gain confidence in their abilities.
d. Encourages Emotional Expression
Art is like a safe outlet for children to express complex emotions. A child might draw a stormy sky when they are upset or paint bright flowers when they are happy. It is important to dedicate a corner of your garden or home as an “art zone” where children can freely paint, sketch and create without worrying about making a mess.
Practical Ways to Integrate Music and Art into Daily Life
For homesteaders, gardeners and eco-conscious families, music and art can easily become part of daily life without requiring expensive tools or formal lessons;
- Morning Sing-Alongs: Start the day with a family song during prayers.
- Garden Music Time: Play or sing soft music while working in the garden.
- Nature Art Walks: Inculcate the habit of taking a walk with your children and letting them sketch or collect materials for art projects.
- DIY Musical Instruments: Buy or create simple instruments using recycled materials.
- Story Through Art: After reading a story, let children draw or paint their favorite scenes.
Advice to Parents
Many parents think or feel that art and music are “just hobbies” and not as important as academics. However, researches have continued to prove that creative activities enhances focus, discipline and intelligence.
Additionally, these activities don not have to be expensive. Nature itself provides plenty of materials - leaves, stones and sticks can become paintbrushes and musical instruments.
Conclusion
Music and art are not optional add-ons to childhood, as they are essential building blocks for brain development. For families living close to nature, homeschooling or adopting sustainable lifestyles, these tools are readily available and deeply transformative.
When a child sings while planting a seed, paints a picture of the chickens they care for, or crafts a drum from recycled wood, they’re not just playing as they are building connections in their brains, developing emotional intelligence and fostering creativity. Let us encourage every child, no matter their location to have adequate access to the magic of music and arts