Can Music Make Your Kids Smarter?

Can Music Make Your Kids Smarter?

Yes, apparently so. Did you know that a new study in the journal Social Science Quarterly reveals that music participation, defined as music lessons taken in or out of school and parents attending concerts with their children, has a positive effect on reading and mathematic achievement in early childhood and adolescence. Research also shows that kids who are actively involved in music (who play it or sing it regularly):

-do better in reading

-learn coordination, goal-setting, concentration, and cooperation

-are more likely to do better in math and science because music helps build reasoning skills and cognitive development, which are important to both

-get along better with their peers and have higher self-esteem

-are more likely to go to college

Also, students who have been involved in public school music programs score higher on their SATs than those who don't. Darby E. Southgate, MA, and Vincent Roscigno, Ph.D., of The Ohio State University reviewed two nationally representative data sources to analyze patterns of music involvement and possible effects on math and reading performance for both elementary and high school students. The research conclusion was” “Music is positively associated with academic achievement, especially during the high school years.”

The studies did show however, that not all adolescents participate in music equally, and certain groups are disadvantaged in access to music education. Apparently, it would appear that families with high socioeconomic status participate more in music than do families with lower socioeconomic status. In addition to social class as a predictor of music participation, ethnicity is also a factor. Asians and Whites are more likely to participate in music than are Hispanics. While young Black children attended concerts with their parents, they were less likely to take music lessons according to data sources.

There was even an earlier nationwide survey taken in 2003 by the Gallup organization, that showed that 95% of Americans believe that music is a key component in a child's well-rounded education. Eighty percent of respondents agreed that music makes the participants smarter; 78% believe that learning a musical instrument helps students perform better in other subject areas; and 88% believe participation in music helps teach children discipline.

Additional evidence found by the College Entrance Examination Board showed students in an arts appreciation class scored 63 points higher on verbal and 44 points higher on math than students with no arts participation. Researchers Frances Rauscher of the University of Wisconsin, and Gordon Shaw of the University of California-Irvine, found that music lessons have been shown to improve a child's performance in school. After eight months of lessons, children showed a 46% boost in their spatial IQ, which is crucial for higher brain function learning in complex mathematics, science and engineering.

Reference:
Wiley-Blackwell (2009, February 11). Adolescents Involved With Music Do Better In School. ScienceDaily. Retrieved February 25, 2010, from http://www.sciencedaily.com¬ /releases/2009/02/090210110043.htm