At the Mid-Hudson Heritage Center, grades 1, 4 and 7 from the Private Dutchess Day School created beautiful and extraordinarily elaborate Mexican Skulls and Skeletons for all to view.

Dia de los Muertos, which means Day of the Dead is an interesting Holiday celebrated in Central and Southern Mexico. The tradition honors the dead and celebrates the lives of the deceased with food, drink, parties and activities the Dead enjoyed in life.

Alison Rowland, the beloved Art Teacher at Dutchess Day School presented a lavish collection made by her students, under her talented and inspirational eye the children’s imaginations were free to soar with endless creativity exuding all the marvelous colors and textures that so capture the Mexican tradition of the celebrated Holiday.

Hudson Heinemann and Derrick Rosse, both 4th graders displayed unique originality in their Skelton figures. “I really enjoyed making these clay skeletons and learning about this festive Holiday, there is so much to learn from other cultures. Ms. Rowland is an amazing Art Teacher and I look forward to all the Art Projects we participate in.” said Hudson Heinemann.

Scholars trace the origins of the Modern Mexican Holiday to indigenous observances dating back hundreds of years and to an Aztec Festival dedicated to the goddess Mictecacihuatl. The Holiday has spread throughout the world, being absorbed within other deep traditions for honoring the dead. It has become a National Symbol and as such is taught for educational purposes in the Nations Schools. Many families celebrate “All Saints Day” associated with the Catholic Church.

Delicious Pan de Muerto was served at the Exhibition, which is a sweetened soft bread shaped like a bun then decorated with bone shaped phalanges pieces and topped with sugar.

A truly delightful Holiday!!

Ithaa is the world’s first and only all glass undersea restaurant:  Conrad Maldives Rangali Island Hotel

Enjoy cocktails, lunch or dinner at Ithaa Undersea Restaurant

Ithaa translates as ‘Mother of Pearl’ in the Maldivian language of Dhivehi.

Rated “the most beautiful restaurant in the world” by the New York Daily News, Ithaa sits five metres below the surface, offering 180-degree panoramic views of the vibrant coral gardens surrounding it. Ithaa (meaning ‘mother of pearl’ in the Maldivian language of Dihevi) serves contemporary European cuisine in a six-course set dinner menu. Expect indulgences such as caviar for dinner while the four-course lunch menu offers lighter fare. Also open for mid-morning cocktails and can be booked privately for breakfast, weddings or other special occasions.

The restaurant offers the largest wine cellar in the country and a spectacular beachside setting.

By: Marie Telling…

Macaroons ~ What it is: Little almond-meringue cookies filled with flavored buttercream.

Why it’s awesome: You can get them in basically every flavor you want. And when they’re done right, they’re like little bites of heaven melting in your mouth.
2. French Lemon Pie

What it is: A buttery crust filled with lemon curd.
Why it’s awesome: It’s refreshing, sweet, and slightly less tangy than its American counterpart (but just as good).
3. Crème Brûlée

What it is: A custard topped with a crisp caramel layer.
Why it’s awesome: There are few things in life as satisfying as cracking the caramel layer of a crème brûlée with the back of your spoon.
4. Crêpes

What it is: Very thin pancakes filled with just about anything you can think of.
Why it’s awesome: They’re super fun to eat, and you can accommodate everybody’s tastes with all the different fillings — like Nutella, strawberries and cream, or maple syrup.
5. Chocolate Soufflé

What it is: An ~ethereal~ chocolate cake with a crispy crust and a soft middle.
Why it’s awesome: It manages to be both light and rich. (And chocolate is involved, which is always a good thing.)

6. Madeleines

What it is: Fluffy and delightful little buttery cakes.
Why it’s awesome: They’re simple yet addictive, and you can stray from the traditional recipe to create different flavors.
7. Chocolate Meringue

What it is: A crunchy meringue with chocolate swirls and a slightly chewy inside.
Why it’s awesome: Meringue is already pretty amazing on its own, but add some chocolate to the equation and it’s even better.
8. Clafoutis

What is it: A flan-like cake usually filled with cherries.
Why it’s awesome: Soft texture + tart cherries = a truly perfect summer bake.

9. Tarte Tatin

What it is: An upside-down caramelized apple pie, basically.
Why it’s awesome: Caramelized apples and a crispy crust. What more do you need?
10. Chocolate Mousse

What it is: I mean, it’s a chocolate mousse.
Why it’s awesome: It’s light, rich, fluffy, and chocolatey. (In other words, it’s pretty much perfect.)
11. Dacquoise

What it is: A pastry made of layers of whipped cream and hazelnut meringue.
Why it’s awesome: The contrast between the crunch of the meringue and the softness of the cream? It’s next level.

12. Nougat

What it is: A candy from Southern France made with honey, egg whites, and nuts.
Why it’s awesome: Variations of this specialty exist all around the Mediterranean Sea. The French version is soft and sweet — and might use pistachios, almonds, or hazelnuts.
13. Éclairs

What it is: A pastry made with pâte à choux (or light dough), filled with flavored custard and topped with glossy icing.
Why it’s awesome: There’s something for everyone: Along with traditional chocolate and coffee éclairs, you can now often find many flavors — like raspberry and pistachios — in French bakeries.
14. French Chocolate Cake

What it is: Chocolate cake. Enough said.
Why it’s awesome: Every French household has their own take on this classic. Three signs of a good one? Delicious chocolate, soft cake, and a crispy crust.
15. Crêpes Suzette

What it is: Crêpes flambé in a sauce that’s made of butter, caramel, orange, and Grand Marnier.
Why it’s awesome: Because who doesn’t love setting a dessert on ~fire~?
16. Kouign-Amann

What it is: A cake from the Brittany region made of sugar-crusted layers of dough and butter.
Why it’s awesome: Butter. Lots of it.
17. French Apple Pie

What it is: A longtime favorite that French grandmas swear by.
Why it’s awesome: Compared to its American counterpart, French apple pies are always thin-crusted, open-faced, and only have one layer of apple slices. They’re equal parts straightforward and super satisfying.
18. Paris-Brest

What it is: A cream puff sandwich stuffed with praline-flavored cream.
Why it’s awesome: I repeat: it’s a cream puff sandwich stuffed with praline-flavored cream.
19. Chocolate Pots de Crème

What it is: Chocolate cream often served with some Chantilly.
Why it’s awesome: It’s creamy AND it’s chocolatey — aka everything that’s good in this world.

I Love my Zwahlen Huni Ballet Slippers, made in Gstaad Switzerland. A must for daytime….so comfortable and extremely beautiful. They come in a variety of colors and are truly durable! I have had mine for over a year and they look fabulous.

Zwahlen Huni has two locations, one in Gstaad and the other in Saanen. Both are magnificent, and purchasing clothes of the Austrian style is both chic and International.

The boutiques carry a Couture Line ~ as well as other well known labels…Barbour, Vicomte A., Longchamp, Woolrich-John Rich and Brothers, Barutti, and Sasso are just a few.

In Gstaad, visit Promenade 55…a beautiful store!

Email: info@zwahlenhueni.ch

Michelle-Marie Heinemann & Zwahlen Huni

An International Polo Tournament in Gstaad.

The international Polo Gold Cup tournament has established itself as an audience magnet. The “royal” game captivates the spectators every year with top-ranking players and very tough competition for the sought-after world ranking points.

Program:
Thursday: Qualifikatons Games
Friday: 4.00 pm. Polo parade in Gstaad
Saturday: semifinals & Polo Night (CHF 380.– p.p.)
Sunday: finals
VIP Lunch SA & SU: CHF 340.– p.p.
Price : Free entry

Polo Club Gstaad

Chalet les Arcades, Post Fach 419

www.polo-gstaad.ch

My son is a devout Republican and staunch political aficionado….which lead us to the presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trumps victory speech Tuesday night held at Trumps Briarcliff Manor Golf Club. I have always encouraged my children to be involved and independent with their thoughts as I support them entirely in whatever decisions and choices they make….

Michelle-Marie Heinemann & Mica Mosbacher

Evan Sims, Hudson Heinemann, Hyacinth Heinemann, Michelle-Marie Heinemann, Shannon Gilligan

Michelle-Marie Heinemann, Al Baldasaro, Hudson Heinemann, Evan Sims, Hyacinth Heinemann

The primary season is wrapping up with elections in New Jersey, California, and four other states. Trump told the relatively private crowd, “You’ve given me the honor to lead the Republican Party to victory this fall, and I am going to fight for you, the American people, like nobody has ever fought before. I am not a politician, I am just me. You’re going to see some real great things happen.”

Michelle-Marie Heinemann & Trump Supporters

My son, and his friend Evan Sims throughly enjoyed speaking with Al Baldasaro, who is the Chair of the State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs and a member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives. He promised to give a tour of the State House when my son is in New Hampshire for Camp this month….very excited was he!

Donald Trump

 
Michelle-Marie Heinemann

 
Hyacinth Heinemann, Hudson Heinemann, Michelle-Marie Heinemann, Evan Sims

Hyacinth Heinemann, Evan Sims, Hudson Heinemann, Michelle-Marie Heinemann

Madame Tussaud pales in comparison to the Living Wax Museum, presented by the 3rd grade at the private Dutchess Day School. Students stood frozen with pride as they became one with their favorite famous American….citing “fun facts” and “historical trivia” in front of a giant paper backdrop.

 
Old Fashioned Fun was at work, as attendees had to push a button to hear the interesting information, and once pushed it was amazing to learn details of the famous Americans.

 
Hudson Cornelius Heinemann chose Duke Ellington, the composer, pianist and bandleader. In true Ellington style Hudson sported spectators by A. Testoni and a dapper Merlot wide stripped button down, for his Ellington look.

 
Ellington’s career spanned 50 years composing masterpieces like “It don’t mean anything, if it ain’t got that swing” and “Prelude to a kiss.” He was a 12 time Grammy award winner and really knew how to get the crowd moving with unique jazz melodies. The project was in true Old Fashioned Mom style as students had to pull a book out of the library and use an encyclopedia to learn about bibliographies.

 
The Head Mistress, Nancy Hathaway perused each wax figure while other notable Americans included: Amelia Earhart, Edger Allan Poe, Babe Ruth, Arthur Ashe, Betsey Ross, and Sacajawea. “This was a great project, I enjoyed making my backdrop and studying about Duke Ellington. I feel I became more connected with him, as opposed to just googling his name, definitely more interesting to go to the library.” said Hudson Heinemann.

Hudson Heinemann

Duke Ellington

Head Mistress, Nancy Hathaway and 3rd grader Hudson Heinemann

CEO, Michelle-Marie Heinemann of Old Fashioned Mom Magazine and HSH Prince Charles-Henri Lobkowicz, who is the Brand Ambassador for the exclusive line of Dewitt Watches, welcomed guests at Plaza Athenee to chat about the magnificent watch collection. 

The Lobkowicz Family dates back to the 14th century and is one of the oldest Bohemian Noble Families. Prince Charles Father was Prince Edouard de Lobkowicz and his Mother the Princess Francoise of Bourbon-Parma. 

Guests included: Anne Van Ness, Sharon Bush, Isaac Lazerson, Marie-Claire Gladstone, Ann Baker, Tanja Dreiding Wallace, Dr. Tamas Lorinczy, and Annamaria Bogyay.

NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 08: New York Socialite Michelle-Marie Heinemann, Marie-Claire Gladstone and Ann Van Ness attend a Luncheon For Prince Charles Henri Lobkowicz At Plaza Athenee on January 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Old Fashioned Mom Magazine)

NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 08: Prince Charles Henri Lobkowicz, Dr. Tamas Lorinczy, New York Socialite Michelle-Marie Heinemann and Ambassador Katalin Annamaria Bogyay attend New York Socialite Michelle-Marie Heinemann Hosts Luncheon For Prince Charles Henri Lobkowicz At Plaza Athenee on January 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Old Fashioned Mom Magazine)

NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 08: New York Socialite Michelle-Marie Heinemann (L) and Sharon Bush attend a Luncheon For Prince Charles Henri Lobkowicz At Plaza Athenee on January 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Old Fashioned Mom Magazine)

NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 08: Prince Charles Henri Lobkowicz (L) and Marie-Claire Gladstone attend a Luncheon For Prince Charles Henri Lobkowicz At Plaza Athenee on January 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Old Fashioned Mom Magazine)

NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 08: Dr. Tamas Lorinczy (L) and Ambassador Katalin Annamaria Bogyay attend New York Socialite Michelle-Marie Heinemann Hosts Luncheon For Prince Charles Henri Lobkowicz At Plaza Athenee on January 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Old Fashioned Mom Magazine)

NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 08: General view of atmopshere at New York Socialite Michelle-Marie Heinemann Hosts Luncheon For Prince Charles Henri Lobkowicz At Plaza Athenee on January 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Old Fashioned Mom Magazine)

NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 08: General view of atmopshere at New York Socialite Michelle-Marie Heinemann Hosts Luncheon For Prince Charles Henri Lobkowicz At Plaza Athenee on January 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Old Fashioned Mom Magazine)

NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 08: New York Socialite Michelle-Marie Heinemann (R) Hosts Luncheon For Prince Charles Henri Lobkowicz (L) At Plaza Athenee on January 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Old Fashioned Mom Magazine)

NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 08: New York Socialite Michelle-Marie Heinemann (R) Hosts Luncheon For Prince Charles Henri Lobkowicz (L) At Plaza Athenee on January 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Old Fashioned Mom Magazine)

NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 08: New York Socialite Michelle-Marie Heinemann (R) Hosts Luncheon For Prince Charles Henri Lobkowicz (L) At Plaza Athenee on January 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Old Fashioned Mom Magazine)

NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 08: New York Socialite Michelle-Marie Heinemann (L) Hosts Luncheon For Prince Charles Henri Lobkowicz (R) At Plaza Athenee on January 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Old Fashioned Mom Magazine)

NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 08: New York Socialite Michelle-Marie Heinemann, Prince Charles Henri Lobkowicz and Anne Baker attend a Luncheon At Plaza Athenee on January 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Old Fashioned Mom Magazine)

NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 08: New York Socialite Michelle-Marie Heinemann (L) Hosts Luncheon For Prince Charles Henri Lobkowicz (R) At Plaza Athenee on January 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Old Fashioned Mom Magazine)

NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 08: New York Socialite Michelle-Marie Heinemann (L) Hosts Luncheon For Prince Charles Henri Lobkowicz (R) At Plaza Athenee on January 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Old Fashioned Mom Magazine)

NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 08: New York Socialite Michelle-Marie Heinemann (L) Hosts Luncheon For Prince Charles Henri Lobkowicz (R) At Plaza Athenee on January 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Old Fashioned Mom Magazine)

NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 08: New York Socialite Michelle-Marie Heinemann (R) Hosts Luncheon For Prince Charles Henri Lobkowicz (L) At Plaza Athenee on January 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Old Fashioned Mom Magazine)

NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 08: New York Socialite Michelle-Marie Heinemann (R) Hosts Luncheon For Prince Charles Henri Lobkowicz (L) At Plaza Athenee on January 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Old Fashioned Mom Magazine)

NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 08: New York Socialite Michelle-Marie Heinemann (R) Hosts Luncheon For Prince Charles Henri Lobkowicz (L) At Plaza Athenee on January 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Old Fashioned Mom Magazine)

NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 08: New York Socialite Michelle-Marie Heinemann Hosts Luncheon For Prince Charles Henri Lobkowicz At Plaza Athenee on January 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Old Fashioned Mom Magazine)

NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 08: New York Socialite Michelle-Marie Heinemann, Prince Charles Henri Lobkowicz and Tanja Dreiding Wallace attend a Luncheon At Plaza Athenee on January 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Old Fashioned Mom Magazine)

NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 08: General view of atmopshere at New York Socialite Michelle-Marie Heinemann Hosts Luncheon For Prince Charles Henri Lobkowicz At Plaza Athenee on January 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Old Fashioned Mom Magazine)

NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 08: General view of atmopshere at New York Socialite Michelle-Marie Heinemann Hosts Luncheon For Prince Charles Henri Lobkowicz At Plaza Athenee on January 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Old Fashioned Mom Magazine)

NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 08: Prince Charles Henri Lobkowicz, New York Socialite Michelle-Marie Heinemann and Anne Baker attend a Luncheon At Plaza Athenee on January 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Old Fashioned Mom Magazine)

NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 08: New York Socialite Michelle-Marie Heinemann and Anne Baker attend a Luncheon for Prince Charles Henri Lobkowicz At Plaza Athenee on January 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Old Fashioned Mom Magazine)

NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 08: General view of atmopshere at New York Socialite Michelle-Marie Heinemann Hosts Luncheon For Prince Charles Henri Lobkowicz At Plaza Athenee on January 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Old Fashioned Mom Magazine)

NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 08: New York Socialite Michelle-Marie Heinemann (R) Hosts Luncheon For Prince Charles Henri Lobkowicz (L) At Plaza Athenee on January 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Old Fashioned Mom Magazine)

NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 08: General view of atmopshere at New York Socialite Michelle-Marie Heinemann Hosts Luncheon For Prince Charles Henri Lobkowicz At Plaza Athenee on January 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Old Fashioned Mom Magazine)

NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 08: General view of atmopshere at New York Socialite Michelle-Marie Heinemann Hosts Luncheon For Prince Charles Henri Lobkowicz At Plaza Athenee on January 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Old Fashioned Mom Magazine)

NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 08: General view of atmopshere at New York Socialite Michelle-Marie Heinemann Hosts Luncheon For Prince Charles Henri Lobkowicz At Plaza Athenee on January 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Old Fashioned Mom Magazine)

NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 08: General view of atmopshere at New York Socialite Michelle-Marie Heinemann Hosts Luncheon For Prince Charles Henri Lobkowicz At Plaza Athenee on January 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Old Fashioned Mom Magazine)

NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 08: New York Socialite Michelle-Marie Heinemann (R) Hosts Luncheon For Prince Charles Henri Lobkowicz (L) At Plaza Athenee on January 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Old Fashioned Mom Magazine)

NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 08: General view of atmopshere at New York Socialite Michelle-Marie Heinemann Hosts Luncheon For Prince Charles Henri Lobkowicz At Plaza Athenee on January 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Old Fashioned Mom Magazine)

NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 08: New York Socialite Michelle-Marie Heinemann (R) Hosts Luncheon For Prince Charles Henri Lobkowicz (L) At Plaza Athenee on January 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Old Fashioned Mom Magazine)

NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 08: New York Socialite Michelle-Marie Heinemann (R) Hosts Luncheon For Prince Charles Henri Lobkowicz (L) At Plaza Athenee on January 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Old Fashioned Mom Magazine)

NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 08: New York Socialite Michelle-Marie Heinemann (R) Hosts Luncheon For Prince Charles Henri Lobkowicz (L) At Plaza Athenee on January 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Old Fashioned Mom Magazine)

NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 08: New York Socialite Michelle-Marie Heinemann (R) Hosts Luncheon For Prince Charles Henri Lobkowicz (L) At Plaza Athenee on January 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Old Fashioned Mom Magazine)

NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 08: New York Socialite Michelle-Marie Heinemann (L) Hosts Luncheon For Prince Charles Henri Lobkowicz (R) At Plaza Athenee on January 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Old Fashioned Mom Magazine)

NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 08: General view of atmopshere at New York Socialite Michelle-Marie Heinemann Hosts Luncheon For Prince Charles Henri Lobkowicz At Plaza Athenee on January 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Old Fashioned Mom Magazine)

NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 08: General view of atmopshere at New York Socialite Michelle-Marie Heinemann Hosts Luncheon For Prince Charles Henri Lobkowicz At Plaza Athenee on January 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Old Fashioned Mom Magazine)

NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 08: New York Socialite Michelle-Marie Heinemann, Prince Charles Henri Lobkowicz and Anne Baker attend a Luncheon At Plaza Athenee on January 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Old Fashioned Mom Magazine)

NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 08: New York Socialite Michelle-Marie Heinemann Hosts Luncheon For Prince Charles Henri Lobkowicz At Plaza Athenee on January 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Old Fashioned Mom Magazine)

TRACING LINKS BETWEEN MUSICAL TRAINING AND EXECUTIVE FUNCTION — AND BOLSTERING THE CASE FOR MUSIC IN SCHOOLS

If educators want to develop critical, creative thinkers who can set and accomplish their own goals — and who can use those skills to strengthen their math and reading skills — they may want to take another look inside the music room.

For a child to play an instrument, she needs to stick to her goals, pay sustained attention, and be flexible enough to switch back and forth between tempos and styles. These habits draw heavily on executive function (EF) skills, cognitive processes that include problem-solving, goal setting, and flexible thinking. A number of studies have found that EF skills contribute hugely to students’ success in math and reading.

But music doesn’t just require EF skills; it may be a pathway to building them. That’s according to findings by developmental psychologist Nadine Gaab, whose work shows that people who play a musical instrument regularly have higher executive function skills than non-musicians — a significant finding for educators.

THE RESEARCH

In a 2014 study, Gaab and her research team, including Jennifer Zuk, Ed.M.’10; Christopher Benjamin; and Arnold Kenyon, examined 30 adults between 18 and 35, and 27 children between 9 and 12. Half the participants were “musical”: The adult musicians either were seeking or had obtained a performance degree and practiced at least eight hours a week, and the children had been taking private instrumental lessons for an average of 5.2 years.

The researchers examined the participants as they performed various tasks measuring EF skills. In a “verbal fluency” test, for example, the participants had to name in one minute as many words as possible starting with an assigned letter, excluding people, places, or numbers. In a “trail making” test, they had to draw straight lines as quickly as possible connecting numbers and letters in numerical and chronological order, while switching between numbers and letters.

The children in the study also performed several “set shifting” tasks under an fMRI, in which they had to press different buttons depending on audio and visual stimuli.

The results?

Overall, the musical participants performed better on several, although not all, of the executive function tests.

• Both adult and children musicians exhibited higher cognitive flexibility than non-musicians.
• The adult musicians showed a more proficient working memory, and the child musicians exhibited faster processing speed, than their non-musician peers.
• Most significant, the researchers found differences in brain activation between child musicians and non-musicians. “We had more activation in areas of the brain I often call the ‘CEO regions’” — the frontal regions associated with executive function — “in the children who had musical training compared to others,” says Gaab.

IMPLICATIONS FOR FAMILIES AND SCHOOLS

Practicing a musical instrument, it seems, is directly correlated with increased executive function. So should parents rush to sign up their children for private lessons? Should schools redouble their focus on music?

Possibly, says Gaab. Their study was not a longitudinal one, in which researchers would have analyzed a group of children before beginning their musical training and then again after they had been regularly practicing. Consequently, she cannot say with certainty if practicing music increases EF, or if it’s the other way around. “Kids and adults who have really good executive function skills might stick longer with music or might be more drawn toward music,” explains Gaab.

However, this research does answer a crucial question left open by other studies that have found a link between music and cognitive function. A child musician might have strong EF skills because a family that can afford private instrument lessons is likely providing other forms of enrichment too, such as a language-rich household or stimulating summer camps. Gaab’s study controlled for IQ and socioeconomic status, however, showing that musical training, not other experiences, is the factor linked to EF.

So while the exact causal connection between executive function and music remains unclear, the researchers still advise schools to take note. “Replacing music programs with reading or math instruction in our nation’s school curricula in order to boost standardized test scores,” they write, “may actually lead to deficient skills in other cognitive areas.”

Written By Leah Shafer