"I Wanted To Be
A Doctor.
Hebrew Free Loan
Gave Me The Shot
I Needed." Dr Eric Groskind

Extra Activities
Are Important

Just as socialization and educa-
tion are an important part of your
child's-development, so, too, are
extracurricular activities.
Whether it's participating in
a sport, learning a musical in-
strument, dabbling in art or do-
ing volunteer work, kids need to
participate in activities outside
the classroom. Not only does it
make them well-rounded indi-
viduals, but it helps them make
new friends, discover hidden tal-
ents and cultivate new interests.
Research shows that playing
music develops a sense of rhythm
and coordination, and cultivates
many of the basic concepts need-
ed for math. One much-publicized
study found that listening to
Mozart actually raised IQ scores.
Whether this can be proved is
another story, but experts agree
that children should be exposed
to music as early as infancy. Par-
ents should sing and dance with
their children from the time
they're babies, introducing them
to a wide variety of music.
If your child shows a propen-
sity for music, you may want to
consider formal music lessons.
Although some children begin
lessons as early as age 3, most ex-
perts agree that it's better to wait
until the child is 5 or 6, when mo-
tor skills are better developed.
While many parents select the
instrument for their child, it's prob-
ably better to let your child make
•
the choice. Forcing your child to
learn the piano because you al-
ways wanted to will only lead to
resentment and arguments.
Most children dread practic-
ing, particularly after the novel-
ty of learning a new instrument
wears off. Music teachers advise
parents to establish a regular
practice schedule to avoid teary
arguments at bedtime. If neces-
/- sary, break up practice into two
15-minute sessions each day.
The best way to find a quali-
fied music teacher is ask for re-
ferrals from your child's school,
local colleges and universities or
music stores.
Anyone can claim to be a mu-
sic teacher, so look for one with a
professional music background,
•
a college degree in music or cer-
•
tification from a professional or-
ganization such as the Music
Teachers National Association.
Before committing to lessons,
interview the teacher, observe a
lesson and ask for references.
Make sure the teacher is some-
one your child would be comfort-
able with. Also, be sure that the
curriculum includes music theo-
ry, technique, sight reading and
improvisation, and that your
child will be exposed to a variety
of musical compositions, from
Beethoven to Bon Jovi.

Dr. Groskind is grateful W the Hebrew Free Loan for providing him the educational loans he
needed to get through medical school back in 1981. Currently, as a practicing•physician, the doctor
takes time out of his busy schedule to sit on the HFLA Board of Directors. You could say that after
fourteen years Dr. Groskind still has the spirit of Hebrew Free Loan in his veins.

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ACTIVITIESS page 74

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Dana
Nicole
Freeman

Congratulations on graduating Summa Cam
Lauda! We are wry proud of all your achieve-
ments and accompfshmeras. May all your drams
and hopes for the future become reality. Best
of luck at CI of M.

We Low 'foal
Mom, Dad, Jason fi Barkley too!

Congratulations

To Our Wonderful, Creative Son!
We're So Proud Of You!

a, a,

ti

Love,
Mom, Dad,
Jeremy, Jonathan & Patton

Jon Monson-Foon

Love, Mom, Dad and Tigger

73