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Did you know that this simple activity can boost the development of motor and cognitive skills in children ages 6-10? A new study by Ben-Guiron University of the Negev found that children in the first, second and third grades who sing the kind of songs that include clapping of the hands demonstrate skills absent in children who don’t take part in similar activities. According to Dr. Idit Sulkin, of the university’s music science lab, they also found that children who spontaneously perform hand-clapping songs in the schoolyard during recess have neater handwriting, write better and make fewer spelling errors.
Sulkin engaged several elementary school classrooms in a program of either music appreciate or hand clapping songs for 10 weeks. With the hand clapping group, she found that “Within a very short period of time, the children who until then hadn’t take part in such activities caught up in their cognitive abilities to those who did.”
Would you take up an activity, or encourage your children to engage in it, if you knew that it could reduce the risk of dyslexia and dyscalculia, improve cognitive abilities, social integration, handwriting and spelling and make you feel more focused and less tense? Of course you would! So clap with your children and enjoy yourselves.
I am also available for phone consultations with athletes around the U.S. and in-person visits with athletes in Southern California. Call today toll free at 1-800-497-9880 for a free 20 minute telephone consultation with Dr. Jack Singer.
Jack N. Singer, Ph.D.
Certified and Licensed Sport and Clinical Psychologist
Diplomate, National Institute of Sports Professionals, Division of Psychologists
Diplomate, American Academy of Behavioral Medicine
Certified Hypnotherapist, American Academy of Clinical Hypnosis