Why Children Should Learn Music

Music is considered to be the queen of the arts. It also serves to be a means of self-expression to the performer. The following are the top reasons why children should learn music:


1. Music improves verbal intelligence. The York University had a new study that showed the dramatic benefits of music-based cognitive training that included improved verbal intelligence (Hughes, 2011).


2. Students who learn music do better in school. The Journal Social Science Quarterly (2009) has a study that shows that children who undertake music lessons in and out of school has a positive effect on their achievements in reading and mathematics in early childhood and adolescence (Southgate et. al, 2009).


3. Music assists motor development. Learning musical instruments develops motor skills that include hand, eyes, and body coordination.


4. Music promotes cooperation. Children who learn music participate in group orchestras and different ensembles. Working together with others instills discipline in aiming towards a common aim.


5. Music improves memory. The Chinese University of Hong Kong had a study that showed that children who engage in musical training perform better in in word recall compared to those who did not participate in musical training (Lavelle, 2003).


6. Music improves test scores. Dr. James Catterall (1997) of the University of California showed in a ten-year study showed that children who learned music had improved in standardized tests and in reading proficiency exams.


7. Music reduces aggression and improves self-esteem. A study by Choi, Soo Lee, and Sook-Lee(2010) in Group Music Intervention Reduces Aggression and Improves Self-Esteem in Children with Highly Aggressive Behavior: A Pilot Controlled Trial showed that group music has a positive effect in reducing aggression and improving the self-esteem of the participant.


References:


Catterall, J. (1997). Ten Year Study Shows Music Improves Test Scores. Retrieved from http://www.orangeparkschoolofmusic.com/TEN-YEAR-STUDY-SHOWS-MUSIC-IMPROVES-TEST-SCORES.html


Choi, A., Soo Lee, M., and Sook Lee, J. (2010). Group Music Intervention Reduces Aggression and Improves Self-Esteem in Children with Highly-Aggressive Behavior: A Pilot Controlled Trial. Retrieved from http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ecam/2010/465730/abs/


Hughes, M. (2011). Music-Based Training Improves Preschoolers’ Verbal IQ: York U Study. Retrieved from http://news.yorku.ca/2011/10/04/music-based-training-improves-preschoolers-verbal-iq-york-u-study/


Lavelle, P. (2003). Music improves language and Memory. Retrieved from http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2003/07/29/911523.htm
Southgate et al. The Impact of Music on Childhood and Adolescent Achievement. Social Science Quarterly, 2009; 90 (1): 4 DOI: 10.1111/j.1540-6237.2009.00598. Google