by Rodney Rodriguez

Created on: March 20, 2010

The benefits of music education have been known for centuries. According to Plato, “Music is a more potent instrument than any other for education, because rhythm and harmony find their way into the inward places of the soul.”

Supporting Research

Research at the University of California and at the University of Wisconsin show that learning music builds the neural pathways in the brain that are related to spatial reasoning skills. These skills are crucial for tasks involving math and science. Children who were taught music in addition to normal studies scored 35 per cent higher than children who had computer training or no additional training.

Introduction

A report in Neurological Research, Vol. 19, February, 1997, explains that research studying the link between music and intelligence in preschoolers demonstrated that music training is far superior to computer instruction in dramatically enhancing a child’s ability to develop skills necessary for learning math and science.

A two year study in Switzerland involving 1200 students shows that learning music improved a child’s reading and verbal skills. Young students who attended music classes made rapid improvements in speech and reading, as compared to students who had no music training.

Children 5 to 7 years of age who had been doing poorly in reading and math had caught up their peers in reading, and had actually passed them in math, after just seven months of music lessons, according to research done at Brown University in Rhode Island.

In a report published in the Music Education Journal, September, 2000, it was shown that in the 1999 SAT music students scored an average of 52 points higher in reading and math than did students who had no formal education in the Arts.

An article published in October, 1999, by the Associated Press reported that college students majoring in music consistently achieved higher scores on reading exams than did all other majors. Additionally, a 2000 study at Georgia Tech indicates that students taking at least one course in music are 4.5 times more likely to remain in school than are the general student population.

Conclusion

As is evidenced by the many studies, music has very positive and profound benefits for children. These benefits affect them in many different ways and at all stages of their lives. Studying music improves a child's self discipline and diligence, and increases their reading capacity and problem solving skills. These, in turn, lead to effective study and work habits, and greater social and team skills.

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