I’m reading a fascinating book right now about how sound affects learning and even our health. It is Healing at the Speed of Sound by Don Campbell and Alex Doman. The authors state that though we cannot avoid some noise from our environment, we can “nourish” our brains with the right kind of sounds to promote learning and well-being. They encourage us to “listen
outside the box, to create a unique soundscape suited to our lives and families.” I’m really enjoying learning more about how sound, and especially music, can improve our ability to learn and promote well-being. Even medical teams are using music to reduce patient stress and improve healing and recovery. Sound is all around us, and it affects us in more ways than we think.
Did you know that children growing up in noisy homes develop language and cognitive skills more slowly than children in quieter homes? Other studies have shown that students in noisy classrooms fall behind their peers in quieter classrooms. In one New York City school, students whose classroom was near a train track were as much as a full year behind in reading when compared to students on the other side of the school. When the city installed noise dampeners on the tracks and soundproofing materials in the school, the students who lagged behind due to the noise quickly caught up to their peers.
Most of us don’t have to deal with thundering trains outside our homes or classrooms, but even the smaller noises can become a distraction. The buzz of incandescent lights or the hum of distant traffic may be unnoticed by some, but produce irritability and even agitation in others. How can we create a peaceful, quiet environment in our homes? Turning off all electronic
devices (yes, the cell phones too) an hour before bedtime will bring calm and help everyone to fall asleep faster. Music specifically recorded to promote learning can make a huge difference. Here at eLearning, we promote a peaceful, stress-
free environment for learning, along with soft classical music for learning.
Here are a few suggestions to bring healing sounds into your home:
Classical Study Hall- Reader’s Digest Music
Music for Concentration- Arcangelos Chamber Ensemble
Music for Inspiration- Arcangelos Chamber Ensemble
Music for Learning- Arcangelos Chamber Ensemble
Music for Thinking- Arcangelos Chamber Ensemble
Quiet Study Classics- Reader’s Digest Music
The book contains many more suggestions. For instance, it includes links to music to optimize your workout, music to help you start your day alert and energized, and music to promote healing. Consider using quiet and music to create a calm, peaceful environment in your home. You’ll be glad you did.