Good Music, Brighter Children: Simple and Practical Ideas to Help Transform Your Child's Life Through the Power of Music

by Sharlene Habermeyer

Did you know that music has the power to increase your child's intelligence? Recent scientific studies at some of the most respected universities in the world indicate that children introduced to classical music at a young age read earlier and perform better on achievement tests. Inside, respected educator Sharlene Habermeyer gives you a simple, step-by-step program that any parent can follow. You'll discover how introducing children to good music


• Accelerate language development
• Improve math and science skills
• Enhance physical education
• Strengthen memory and reading retention
• Benefit children with learning disabilities
• And more!


"This book outlines why music is important to learning, and provides parents with excellent suggestions for launching and sustaining a musical influence in the lives of their children."
— James S. Catterall, professor of education and co-director of Imagination Project at UCLA


"A great resource for both parents and teachers. Anyone interested in music or the overall well-being of children will not be able to put this book down."
— Lisha Papert Lercari, director of Music and the Brain

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction, Music

344 pages, Paperback

First published August 4, 1999

Reviews

[Camelia Rose · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is too repetitive and badly in need of editing. I read Part 1 Why Music and skimmed through the rest of book. Music improve your spatial-temporal reasoning; playing a music instrument excises both sides of your brain; the right kind of music help your body relax but your brain remain alert (too simplified); music enhance your memory, etc...etc... You can watch this Ted Talk instead to get more concise information.

Chapter 8 Music Impact on Cognitive Delays and Physical Disabilities includes short descriptions of various music therapies. I've read about Tomatis Method in other books and found it very interesting.

The book aims to offer references to parents and educators regarding music education. The 50 pages long Resources section gives you a selection of music and other resources you could choose from if you want to. I am not sure I'd agree all of her selections.

[Sharlene Habermeyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hi everyone!

I'm Sharlene Habermeyer--the author of "Good Music, Brighter Children," and I want to thank all of you that have read the book and made such kind comments--it is appreciated!

A new, revised edition of my book is coming out in 2012 and I'm looking for people that have read my book and implemented any of the suggestions in the book and would be willing to make a comment that would be included in the book. If you are willing to do this, please email me at: shabermeyer@yahoo.com. Thank you!

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was excited to learn about this book! My mother was musically talented and taught many piano lessons while I was growing up, so I have heard about some of the research that has been done, like linking better reading and math comprehension to playing the piano. My mother had many parents tell her over the years how much learning the piano had helped their child in both of those areas. She never conducted a scientific study but she certainly heard of the benefits multiple times over.

This is a thick book and I haven't made my way through it entirely. It's a great resource book that I will refer to over and over. Each chapter stands on its own so you don't need to read them in order. There are five parts. The first deals with the power of music and music and the brain. Part two deals with music in the home and includes everything from choosing an instrument and teacher to practicing and learning values through music (there's an excerpt from this section below).

I currently have my two children in piano lessons. They have been begging me to quit but I won't let them. All of my siblings that quit taking lessons now regret it. My mother made me stick with it for many years, even when I told her I'd never thank her. Well, I did indeed thank her multiple times and am glad that I hung in there. My mother never taught us and I tried to teach my children at first but quickly abandoned that and now fully understand my mother's philosophy on that. I have found a wonderful teacher for my children who they absolutely love and they are learning so much from her!

Part three talks about advocating for music education in the schools and helping the learning disabled. Part four discusses supporting the arts in your community and how to starting your own orchestra. Part five is the finale and the final chapter is entitled "Building a Legacy: A Parent's Responsibility." This part deals with more than just music and she has some excellent ideas to grow closer as a family.

She also includes an extensive resource section at the very end with ideas of classical pieces to listen to, books to read relating to various subjects, DVD's, and websites to learn about various programs that are available.

This is an amazing book that is full of interesting studies and stories. It's wonderful to have all this information in one place! If you want to learn how to implement good music into your family life, this is a book you want to own!

I received a copy of this book to review. My opinion is 100% my own.

Mel's Shelves

[Rhonda · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 STARS

I feel like I should have music on while reading or writing this review. Good Music Brighter Children is full of facts, case studies and personal stories about the importance of music in the lives of children. Now for me my two girls are in college and I feel I should have done more with music when they were young. I can also see what I did right about getting good music for them. Though I have told them they need to listen to classical while they are studying for tests. This is one book that I wish I had read a couple of decades ago.

I like how it explains why music helps with children be better in math and science. How young you get music in children it actually helps the brain to get bigger. That exposing your baby even before you meet them to singing so your baby recognizes your voice.

The one section that I will go back to again and again is a resource that has lots of information about what music is out their and composer, dvds, books about music and composers, plays. That we can use to expose ourselves, children and grandchildren to music that will enrich their lives.

The section on starting an Orchestra I do not seeing me using that chapter in my life.

So I can prepare me to be a better grandma, better myself in the future. Music has not been a big deal to me. My daughters both learned to play in school bands. I know that art and music are easy things to cut back on but I now have greater appreciation of how they help students to learn and grow.

I did enjoy this book much more when I got over my guilt at what I did not do to too bring more music into our home.

I was given Good Music Brighter Children so that I could review it honestly and be part of its blog tour.

[Shauna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book does for me as a MUSIC mom that the Read Aloud Handbook does for me as a reading mom. I'm 99% positive the author is LDS, although there is no actual religious content. It reminds me to enjoy the process and that the benefits of daily consistent music can be spectacular for children.

[Myra Marangi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I took a class from Sister Habermeyer @ BYU ED Week and really felt inspired to include GOOD music in the mornings to play for my kids while they're getting ready for school. Seems to have worked for one of my daughters growing up :-)

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will motivate you to carry on in the sometimes difficult task of keeping your children practicing! Excellent resource.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing the power of music :)

[Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kind of a parents' guide. Good information for all, though.