Building upon the pioneering work of Dr. Frances Rauscher, psychologist at the University of Wisconsin at Oshkosh, a recent study at the University of Munster in Germany revealed that practicing the piano in early childhood expands the mind, literally altering the anatomy of the brain.

When I was young, my mother insisted that I take piano lessons. Unfortunately, I absolutely hated playing the piano. To make matters worse, my mother also insisted that I practice every morning for at least thirty minutes before I went to school. Although this process seemed very cruel to me at the time, there is now scientific evidence showing that my dreaded childhood music training may actually have improved my memory.

Study after study confirms that young children who take piano lessons not only improve their coordination, they learn how to concentrate better too, improving reading scores, enhancing their memory skills and increasing their confidence levels.

Would your child get more benefit out of computer lessons or music lessons? A recent study published in Neurological Research magazine recommends Do-Re-Mi over Control-Option-Escape.

"The word is out: Researchers have discovered a way to make kids smarter. And savvy parents are signing their children up for private music lessons while school boards debate the role of music in the public school curriculum." These are the words of Joan Schmidt, member of the board of directors of the National School Boards Association, in support of music programs in our schools.