What Music Can Do for Your Child's Mind【用音乐开发孩子的脑力】

It’s not uncommon for the children I see in therapy to use music as a metaphor for communicating thoughts and feelings they may not be able to otherwise put into words. And I’m sure if I asked you as the reader to put together a soundtrack to your life, it wouldn’t take long to create a playlist of songs that would capture significant emotional experiences you’ve endured, personal journeys you’ve taken, or even challenges or hardships that you’ve overcome. Most, if not all of us, have had the powerful sensation of being moved by the magic of music at some point in our lives, and now mental health professionals are using applied research and clinical practice to help understand just how this phenomenon works.

WHAT THE RESEARCH TELLS US

If either you’re simply listening to music on the radio or actually picking up an instrument and playing it yourself, research conducted in the domain of cognitive neuroscience has indicated the stimulating effects of music on both an individual’s socio-emotional development as well as on the maturational process that occurs within our brains. Recently, a 2014 study conducted with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) demonstrated how playing a musical instrument over time enhanced the cognitive functions of the brain inchildren ages 6-18. As well, a 2010 systematic review revealed how music has the ability to help children enhance their coping strategies during times of conflict, as well as reducing the debilitating effects of traumatic or stressful experiences on a child’s emotional well-being.   

TIPS TO HELP STIMULATE YOUR CHILD’S MUSICAL MIND

1) Pick and play

From banging on a drum set to plucking at the strings of a violin, encouraging your child at a young age to play a musical instrument can help to prime the critical regions in his or her brain for activities of daily living. If possible, try to use this as a bonding opportunity by either teaching your child an instrument that you too used to play, going to a concert and picking out an instrument you see being played on stage, or even taking the time to learn the same instrument that your child is currently learning.

2) Listen and learn together

Whether it’s Beethoven or The Beatles, Chuck Berry or Katy Perry, music has both individual and collective meaning for each and every one of us. Take time out with your children to learn about what musical artists they enjoy, as well as finding out about the personal significance that a particular song or artist has for them.

3) Share your musical library

A fond memory from my childhood was when I heard my mother play Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven” for the first time. As much as I was struck by the song’s sweet melody and haunting lyrics, more importantly I remember her talking about the personal and cultural significance the song had for her as she was growing up. Sharing your own personal experiences of music with your child can serve as a way to connect and deepen the emotional bonds of the relationship between the two of you (even if all you listen to is “old people” music).

// Dr. Balfanz is the Senior Clinical Psychologist at American Medical Center/JJ-Premier Medical Care (AMC/JJP), a comprehensive mental and medical health service clinic for expat children, adolescents, adults and families living in Shanghai. For more information on clinic services, contact Dr. Balfanz at [e-mail]

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在治疗过程中，我常常看到一些难以用言语表达的情感，孩子们会通过音乐将之宣泄出来。读者们，如果我让你们精选几首歌曲，创立一张人生的“原声带”，各位很快就能罗列出一份完整的曲目单——这些音乐记录你最重要的情感经历，个人旅游，形形色色的挑战与磨难。终其一生，我们中的绝大多数，尽管不是每个人，都曾在音乐的魔力面前神魂颠倒过。现在，通过应用研究及临床实践，心理专家正在试图了解，音乐为何具有如此神奇的疗效。

研究告诉我们：

无论是收听电台音乐，还是自己鼓捣乐器，认知神经学的相关研究表明，在这一过程中，音乐对于个人的社会情感发展，及大脑的发育成熟，都起着显著的刺激作用。 2014年，国立卫生研究院(NIH)的一项研究揭露，对于6-18岁的儿童来说，长时间接触乐器能促进大脑认知功能的完善。2010年，通过系统性的调查，专家发现音乐能帮助儿童在面对冲突或矛盾时，更好地做出应对决策，并有效缓解心理创伤与压力，保护孩子的情感健康。

温馨贴士：如何激发孩子的音乐潜能 

1) 选择一样乐器

无论是击打架子鼓，还是摆弄小提琴，鼓励你的孩子从小接触乐器，能帮他开发大脑关键区域的潜能。如果你自己也玩乐器，不妨教教你的孩子。陪他去看演唱会，舞台上歌手使用的乐器，你也可以让他学一学。如果有兴趣，你的孩子目前在学什么乐器，你也不妨跟着学。

2) 学会倾听，一同玩耍

无论是贝多芬还是披头士，查克·贝里还是凯蒂·佩里，音乐对于大众来说，都有着属于个人或是集体的意义。花些时间，了解你的孩子喜欢什么类型的歌手，某首歌或某位明星对他们而言，为何意义非凡。在此过程中，还能增进你们的情感。

3) 分享你的音乐典藏

我记得小时候，第一次听母亲弹奏“齐柏林飞艇”乐队的金曲“通往天国的阶梯”时的情景，这首歌的甜美旋律和歌词萦绕在我耳畔，久久不绝。更重要的是，母亲还和我分享了这首歌在她成长过程中的非凡意义，以及歌曲本身的文化底蕴。和孩子分享自己的音乐经历，能够有效地增进相互之间的感情（即便你听的歌曲在孩子眼中已经过时了）。

// 巴尔凡兹博士是AMC/JJP的临床心理学家。作为一家综合机构，AMC/JJP致力于为侨居上海的儿童，青少年及家庭提供心理咨询及医疗卫生服务。想要了解详情，发送邮件至[e-mail]，巴尔凡兹博士将为您答疑。

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