From the study of early civilizations we have found various examples of the link made by humans between music and the body.

Particularly in aboriginal culture, we see a strong link between music and the body. In this oldest living culture, virtually all aspects of human behavior have a fundamental link with music: eating, hunting, birth, marriage, and death are all music-filled activities.

The music of the Australian aborigines is heavily based in song. They have been linked to the most fundamental human instrument of all, the voice. Aboriginal songs include many kinds of vocalizations ranging from growling, grunting, and shrieking to bitonal syllabic chanting. This demonstrates how music has played such an important role in the history of mankind, and allows us to understand the importance of music on our body.

Scientists and researchers today have found that music has various effects on the body. It can build emotional connections, strengthen our memory and learning, boost productivity and foster endurance. Although there is controversy on exactly how much music affects learning, it is known that music is linked to improve math, memory and reading skills. When children make up their own rhymes and songs, they also build their knowledge of words and sounds. This enables them to build connections in the brain.

Music played while students are doing homework can be beneficial to a student's ability to perform. Certain genres of music can change your brain waves to make you achieve a higher state of awareness/concentration. Light instrumental music can take you into the alpha brain state. You get your most heightened sense of awareness and concentration in this type of brainwave. Some people cannot concentrate when it is quiet. Music playing quietly in the background benefits them while working. However, notice the emphasis on quiet. Music that is played with too many beats and rhythms or too loudly can distract you from working, and it will have a negative effect on your studies.

It is a wonder why most people have not come to recognize what the aboriginal culture came to realize, that music helps our mind and body. Some of you may listen to music all day and think that it is just music. However, one cannot deny the power of music. High school students who study music have higher grade point averages than those who don't. Hungary, Japan, and the Netherlands, the top three academic countries in the world, all place a great emphasis on music education and participation in music. To make music a part of you and your child's healthy living, understand what makes you both feel happy and positive and focus your efforts on that genre of music.