[little blue]

(can you tell, I'm doing my best to stay awake to see in the New year?!)

Just wondering.... does anyone out there have any experience of the 'Mozart Effect?'

If you're already thinking "What?!" its the idea that certain music, usually 60 bpm mozart tracks or similar can have a positive effect on the concentration, learning and behavioural difficulties of children and young people.
And like the 'playing classical music to unborn babies'

When i was at school, my French class were a test group for using Dr.Lozanov ways of learning, basically using  Baroque music to imbed a story all in French, we listened to the music, then the story, then both, then read it (or something like that!)   But I wasnt very receptive, and only did it for a short time.

Where I work, we use Fricks "therapeutic listening program" alot, and many of the kids use their Ipods to help them concentrate in class (having one ear on Dizzee Rascal and one on the teacher means theres no ear free to pick up anyone elses noise, and turn it ino an arguement!)

A group i teach, I sometimes let them (if they're good!) take turns to plug in their Ipods to speakers and we have it on quietly in the background.

I have suggested to them that we might 'experiment' with different music (I havent said its Mozart!) that will help them learn (they recognise they have SENs) and was hoping somebody might have some anecdotal experience I can take to my boss, as alot of the scientific evidence is abit... well... dodgy to be honest! 

All responses appreciated...

[doganjo]

Well I used to listen to my pop records when cramming for my school and CA exams - still failed a lot of them!  I really don't think anything other than peace and quiet works.

[HappyHippy]

We play classical music at home in an attempt to help Kaitlin (who's possibly ADHD / ASD) focus and calm down. It does seem to work for her and she's a very hyper little madam. But it does have to be fairly loud or else she loses concentration on it.
Hope that helps a bit.

[Lavinia]

I can't believe that we all have so much in common.... My 12 year old Stewart was a 26 week prem as a result of a idiot (not me) falling asleep at the wheel of a bedford...... He is extremely hipper,(amongst other things) we go to yogi bugs on a Saturday morning, basically the kids go into a room and listen to music and do exercises to it.... The Lady is qualified and extremely patient. She originally set it up for just kids until a friend took her aspergers son to the yogi and now she has a class which is nearly full of special kids..... if you would like i could copy on a disc the music she uses and send it to you.. it might help your research.....

lavinia

[little blue]

Thanks Lavinia, that'd be great if you could.  let me know when its ready & I'll PM my address.
I've looked on a well known website and the specialist discs are a tad expensive... I am raiding my o/h's vast cd collection on the quiet!
I'll have to check at work that it won't clash with any of the Therapeutic listening stuff, which is done on high spec headphones... worth looking at for 'hyper' and SEN kids, google it!

Keep posting folks, thanks   

[Lavinia]

Little blue thanks, Stewart has very complex needs he is on the blind register as visually impaired and has an BI. The list of diagnosis seems to be getting longer and longer... Just nice to know there is someone else out there sometimes.. Due to the accident i am now very claustrophobic and Stewart has no spacial awareness, some times its the little things that drive you mad......... 

[little blue]

does Stewart have any Occupational therapy input?  i can't recommend it enough, if you get a good one.  Would help with his spacial awareness, as would therapeutic listening....

(tell me to shut up, I'm always giving advice!)

[sandy]

I think sometimes "quiet " is too distracting, my brain can race around and I tend to think of all sorts of things, so, pleasurable music, acts like a focus for me although it has to be the correct music. I found it works with children and animals too. I have the radio on for the dogs usually and they appear more relaxed with it....a good thing is also ambient music, especially if different bits (not tech term!) come from different directions, massages the brain....no silence can be tense if you are not relaxed in the first place.

[Lavinia]

Stewart has an occupational therapist, neuro developmentalist, physio,2 eye specialist, a mobility specilist, he has total one on one support in school, they are all very good but none of them have every suggested music through therapy i sort of fell on the yogi bugs through a friend. I  have contacted the tutor and she is burning me of a cd today of the music, she has no problem about you having a copy. He also is doing cane training at the moment with the rnib and that is  really helping his confidence.... just an ongoing processs... but i am really interested in the music anything that helps.

[doganjo]

I have no sound in the house at all.  No TV, no radio unless I am specifically listening to/watching something.  Only dogs barking when they see something outside lol

[Lavinia]

I have no sound in the house at all.  No TV, no radio unless I am specifically listening to/watching something.  Only dogs barking when they see something outside lol

That sounds like bliss, just trying to have 10 mins on the computer and i have already had to stop twice to sort out 2 children (actually 1 12 year old and 1 22 year old) you think one of them would have known better........

[little blue]

If anyone wants to know to more, use the link (sorry, its American, so you might have to do some reading through to get a UK link)

"Therapeutic Listening® is an evidence-backed protocol that combines a sound-based intervention with sensory integrative activities to create a comprehensive program that is effective for diverse populations with sensory challenges. Therapeutic Listening can impact sensory modulation, attention, behavior, postural organization, and speech and language difficulties. Trained therapists learn to use modulated CDs to set up programs for clients in homes, schools and clinics. Listening is a function of the entire brain; when we listen, we listen with the whole body."

Basically a 'trained' person would do an assessment to identify the most pressing needs, then tailor a protocol of cds to follow.  The music is changed to activate different parts of the ear and brain,which is kind of how it helps with balance, spacial awareness etc, and can help with people who have had ear infections in the past to strengthen the ear muscles.

http://www.vitallinks.net/

[sandy]

It defiantly works, we have had a Shamanic CD on and my OH has sat for the 2 hrs just drawing lines ::)Dogs are unconscious and I am cooking kedgeree as I bought some nice kippers for 8p a pack ummmmmmmmmmmmmm ummmmmmmmm ummmmmmmm  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehhU4RnCdG4

[marigold]

When my ex husband who is dyslexic was studying for his philosphy degree and getting very very frustrated I used to play him Mozart and it seemed to help him concentrate and feel positive about his work. I had read that Mozart in the left ear helps. Something to do with Brain Gym which i was looking into at the time.
My eldest daughter has inherited extreme dyslexia and I have continued to use Mozart to help her focus.

[scattybiker1972]

omg just looked at that link.wonderful music.i have reiki music and some meditation music and was looking for more!