Many parents use lullabies and musical mobiles to calm their babies. If music can calm babies, it can also work to soothe older children --- even teenagers. For instance, kindergarten teachers often use soft music to help children wind down for nap time. Secondary teachers sometimes play classical music to help students relax before a big test. Some schools even broadcast classical music in between classes to encourage a peaceful environment --- especially in city schools, which are typically much bigger than their suburban counterparts.
Music can also play a substantial role in energizing your students. Whether you are teaching music, gym, or English, incorporating uplifting, high-tempo music into your lessons can help motivate and excite your students. Research conducted by the Montreal Neurological Institute in Canada showed that different forms of music, including hard rock, punk and even hip-hop can increase a person's excitement level, which, in turn, can affect a person's dopamine levels. Dopamine, which is similar to adrenalin, is a neurotransmitter than controls our emotions and ability to experience pleasure. Therefore, if you need to energize your students, consider adding lively, spirited music into your lesson plans. A note of caution: some music can actually encourage violent or disruptive behavior; the key is to find uplifting music that doesn't overstimulate or overexcite your students.
Studies conducted by College Board and the UCLA Graduate School of Education and Information Studies found that music can help students learn, focus, and score higher on tests. In addition, a Stanford University study found that music "engages the areas of the brain involved with paying attention, making predictions and updating the event in memory." Playing music to the class, or allowing students to listen to music while completing projects in class can help them focus. The Stanford study found that when people listened to classical music, they were better able to sort, predict and synchronize new information.
A typical classroom is comprised of students from different socioeconomic backgrounds --- all with varying opinions on what "good" music is. If you allow students to openly discuss their likes and dislikes when it comes to music, they may find they share common interests with classmates with whom they otherwise don't see eye-to-eye. Even allowing students to present their music in a "show and tell" format can help students relate to each other. If your school policy permits it, allow your students to listen to music while working on group projects. If they disagree on what type of music to listen to, set up a system where each student gets to share a favorite song while students are working. Especially at the high school level, students can be reluctant to venture outside the "friend" safety zone; music can help to bridge the awkwardness of working with someone new or unfamiliar.