Eva Brand and Ora Bar
Min-Ad: Israel Studies in Musicology Online
Eva Brand & Ora Bar-Gil – Improving Interpersonal Communication through Music
Improving Interpersonal Communication through Music
EVA BRAND AND ORA BAR-GIL
This research describes an intervention where parallel activities in music and social interaction were used to improve interpersonal communication among children aged 4 − 6. All children in the study, in both the experimental and the control group, received the same number of weekly hours of music instruction. The intervention included specialist music teaching, training of preschool teachers in music and in conflict resolution, creating an awareness of the connections between music and communication, and provision of a rich musical environment within which children could participate in music activities throughout the day, independently of adult involvement. Both the experimental and the control groups showed increased participation in musical activities and improved interpersonal communication in the post-intervention tests, but the gains were significantly higher for children in the experimental group. This research indicates that music has the potential for improving interpersonal communication, using the intervention program described here. The study describes a framework for making connections between music and communication, and contributes to a field where there is little previous research.
Introduction
Music forms part of our lives, and provides pleasure and satisfaction. At the same time, this research suggests that learning music may also carry side benefits. One of these is the potential for improved interpersonal communication, through the key factor shared by both activities: listening. Music offers boundless opportunity for developing listening skills, but applying this learning outside of music does not occur automatically. The improvement of interpersonal communication through music is dependent upon making conscious
Eva Brand & Ora Bar-Gil – Improving Interpersonal Communication through Music
Improving Interpersonal Communication through Music
EVA BRAND AND ORA BAR-GIL
This research describes an intervention where parallel activities in music and social interaction were used to improve interpersonal communication among children aged 4 − 6. All children in the study, in both the experimental and the control group, received the same number of weekly hours of music instruction. The intervention included specialist music teaching, training of preschool teachers in music and in conflict resolution, creating an awareness of the connections between music and communication, and provision of a rich musical environment within which children could participate in music activities throughout the day, independently of adult involvement. Both the experimental and the control groups showed increased participation in musical activities and improved interpersonal communication in the post-intervention tests, but the gains were significantly higher for children in the experimental group. This research indicates that music has the potential for improving interpersonal communication, using the intervention program described here. The study describes a framework for making connections between music and communication, and contributes to a field where there is little previous research.
Introduction
Music forms part of our lives, and provides pleasure and satisfaction. At the same time, this research suggests that learning music may also carry side benefits. One of these is the potential for improved interpersonal communication, through the key factor shared by both activities: listening. Music offers boundless opportunity for developing listening skills, but applying this learning outside of music does not occur automatically. The improvement of interpersonal communication through music is dependent upon making conscious
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