“The Music Miracle”

The Scientific Secret to Unlocking Your Child’s Full Potential

“The Music Miracle – The Scientific Secret to Unlocking Your Child’s Full Potential” is a brand new book generating an excited chatter within the world of parenting. Pulling together years of scientific studies that showcase the unique connection between music training and child development, this new addition to the literary scene is set to highlight the huge importance music plays in early education – helping to boost everything from IQ to emotional intelligence.

Written by musician and Mother of one, Liisa Henriksson-Macaulay, “The Music Miracle” is a product of passion, brought about by Liisa’s own quest to help her son develop. When Liisa’s son was just a few weeks old, she noticed that he responded to music. Wanting to encourage his musical development, Liisa began researching the best methods for teaching music to children and came across one study that showed how music learning helped develop the connection between both halves of the brain. Excited by what she had found, Liisa delved further into other fields of research, all of which demonstrated a magical connection between music training in early childhood (between ages 0-7) and boosted brain development, highlighting this method as the only activity that can increase a child’s biologically determined IQ. In fact, the research scientifically showed that rhythm, melody, listening (or phonological awareness) and music reading are proven to:

- Boost intelligence and increase IQ

- Improve literacy (accelerating children’s reading rates when compared to children without music learning) and develop language skills

- Develop better skills in mathematics than children without music skills

- Enjoy better emotional and social wellbeing (a happier child with less tantrums!)

Whilst Liisa was delighted to discover how much music could benefit her own son’s development, she realised that for many busy parents the concept of sifting through stacks of research simply wasn’t practical or realistic. Wanting to share this work with other parents, Liisa (under the guidance of a number of respected professors within the field of education, child development and music education ), set about collating and analysing over 1200 scientific studies to create a slim lined book that parents could easily digest, the result was “The Music Miracle”.

Describing the book Liisa explains, “Today’s economic environment demands that our children become the very best they can be. There are a lot of demands placed upon us parents: from developmental milestones to school grades. Whether we like it or not, we need to try and help our children navigate their way in today’s fast-paced world and build their skills for the future.

As parents we can try and unlock our children’s gifts in many ways. Love, food and shelter are the obvious ways to let our children flourish, but many parents want to do more, so they try anything from baby signing and flashcards, to lessons in Mandarin and extracurricular math’s tuition – just to give their children an edge.

I, like many parents, wanted to help my child but I quickly discovered that in reality science doesn’t seem to think these methods work. Through my extensive collation of research I discovered that in fact the only activity that has been proven to increase your child’s intelligence is music training – started between the ages of 0-7. This is where the brain is at its sensitive development phase, and the neural connections are formed.

I wanted to share this message with other parents just like me to help them find a way to help their children that’s not only fun, but makes a genuine difference. Alongside the analysis of research that highlights the way music can boost IQ and social development all at once, I also wanted to explain how to choose the right method of music education for your child. Studies show that all it takes is less than 60 minutes of music study a week and no pushy-parenting is needed when you know what is scientifically proven to work.”

Liisa is of Finnish descent – a country renowned for its unique approach to education that consistently sees students outperform the UK in regards to maths, science and reading skills. The Finnish offer a popular activity class for babies and children called Musiikkileikkikoulu, which teaches real music skills for babies, toddlers, preschoolers and young schoolchildren. Musiikkileikkikoulu consists of a weekly class that lasts for 45-60 minutes, taught by professional music educators who have trained in music for several decades. Liisa believes that it is no coincidence that this focus on music during formative years, coincides with a country that repeatedly impresses in global academic testing.

Offering a 360 degree view of the scientific backing behind the power of music learning in boosting child development, “The Music Miracle” is a true first for busy parents who want to learn more about unlocking their child’s potential. With tips and advice on everything from what types of music learning may work for you, the best options depending on your budget and how long this learning needs to be, this insightful book makes the ideal read for all parents.

“The Music Miracle” is now available in hard copy and e-book  The Music Miracle: The Scientific Secret to Unlocking Your Child’s Full Potential

Here is Liisa’s Interview on BBC Breakfast