Thursday, September 9, 2010

The Benefits of Music Education :)




Benefits of Music Education


- Music makes you smarter: studies have shown that children with musical training display:

o Larger brain responses

o Enhanced levels of memory and attention

o Better motor and auditory skills

o Improvements in verbal ability and nonverbal reasoning

o The acoustic responsiveness of a child 2-3 years older.[1]

- Self expression and the opportunity to create and compose

- Develops fine motor skills

- Enhances capabilities of memory

- Improved communication

- Team building and social interaction in group lessons

- Coordination of the eye, hand, ear, voice, heart, mind and soul

- Lifelong skill

- Sustained effort: it only pays off with practice and discipline

- Develops the brain in areas of language and reasoning

- Distinct link between music and spatial intelligence

- Math skills: when children learn rhythm, they are learning ratios, fractions, and proportions

- Encourages creative thinking when solving problems

- Cultural understanding

- Patience and perseverance

- Performing in public reduces anxiety, boosts self esteem and gives a sense of achievement

- PLAYING MUSIC IS FUN!!


A study conducted by researchers at the University of Wisconsin and the University of California showed that when 3-4 year old children were given music lessons over a 6-month period, they performed 34% better in IQ tests. 789 children from diverse social and economic backgrounds were tested.[2]

Another US study tested preschool children who were given weekly keyboard instruction. The musical group had increased spatial reasoning abilities by an average of 46%. Spatial reasoning—the ability to mentally visualise shapes, objects or ideas and their relationships—is essential to carrying out mental tasks in maths and science. The study is a strong indicator that music education at an early age affects all areas of learning. [3]


[1] “Music Lessons Boost Brain Power.” Inside Science News Service. 6 November, 2009.

<http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2009/11/06/music-lessons-boost-brain- power/>

[2] “Ciares, Jovanka and Borgese, Paul. “The Benefits of Music on Child

Development.” Special Reports. 2010.

<http://www.paulborgese.com/report_benefitofmusic.html>

[3] Saul, Robert. “Today’s music lesson, tomorrow’s genius.” Benefits of Music. 2004.

<http://www.metromusic.net.au/news.htm>

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