Research Says Kids Who Play Music Learn Better
If you have children in school you might want to encourage them to take up a musical instrument.
David Rogers, executive director of the Yakima Symphony Orchestra, says research has found that learning music facilitates learning other subjects and enhances skills that children inevitably use in other academic areas.
It's why the symphony has partnered with the Yakima School District and Yakima's OIC of Washington to create a music program at Garfield Elementary School called Yakima Music En Accion or YAMA.
The administrative umbrella is OIC of Washington so there are some teachers funded through that. The Yakima School District provides the site, some instruction and the instruments for the kids.
And the Yakima Symphony hires three teachers to work with the students every day for two hours after school. Rogers says the goal is to get involved so they will do better in school and discover music.