I recently read a study about Alzheimer's and what patients remember as the condition progresses in one's life. The study discovered that patients first start to forget things like names, relationships, experiences, and the time and place they are oriented in the moment. However, many were able to still recall things from their early childhood like singing the ABCs, common nursery rhymes, poetry from literature class, and popular music.
As commonly learned things in school and in life experiences fade with diseases like alzheimers and dementia, things learned in song are embedded deeply into one's memory for a life time, and still remain during the latest stages of these diseases.
The Alzheimer's and Dementia Resource Center shares music is embedded deeply in the brain and helps strengthen one's memory. Dr. Budsonn from Harvard Health adds that music activates all parts of the brain, and especially the areas associated with learning in the classroom. The research shows that anything done musically, in song, chorally, and in recitation have profound impacts in a child's academic achievement.
Here at St. Francis I am grateful for our traditions like the Patriotic Play, the K-2 Christmas Show, and our annual Drama production while also beginning new ones like our inaugural Youth Drama program coming this winter for grades 3 and 4 and our Lessons and Carols production for Gr. 3-8 this Christmas season. Furthermore, we have also made investments in our music program with Ms. Beauford by providing new instruments and resources to our students this year from the generous donations of our families during last year's national day of giving. I am also grateful that we have also taken steps to incorporate music not only through hymns at mass but in the ongoing prayer of the mass as the priest dialogues with the congregation.
In every practice or rehearsal that our students do, and show or production they put on over the year, know that we proudly celebrate the arts here at St. Francis!
In and through the arts, research supports that all regions of a student's brain are activated and grow in every practice and performance, which offers our students an unseen but profound impact on their academic achievement and in their day to day learning that will last to the end of life.