Does Learning A Musical Instrument Help Make Your Child Smarter?

Recent Research Finds Links Between Music Study and Brain Development

Would your child get more benefit out of computer lessons or music lessons? A recent study published in Neurological Research magazine recommends Do-Re-Mi over Control-Option-Escape.

A group of preschoolers in California were given piano lessons once a week, while other members of their class received computer training, and a third group got no special instruction. The budding pianists scored 34% higher than the other groups on tests designed to measure spatial-temporal reasoning skills — those required for mathematics, chess, science and engineering. Interestingly, the computer kids scored no higher than the group who received no special instruction.

The study was led by psychologist Dr. Frances Rauscher of the University of Wisconsin at Oshkosh and physicist Dr. Gordon Shaw of the University of California at Irvine. The implications of this and future studies can change the way educators view the core school curricula, particularly since music-making nurtures the intellect and produces long-term improvements. “It has been clearly documented that young students have difficulty understanding the concepts of proportion (heavily used in math and science) and that no successful program has been developed to teach these concepts in the school system,” stated Dr. Rauscher. “The high proportion of children who evidenced dramatic improvement in spatial-temporal reasoning as a result of music training should be of great interest to scientists and educators,” added Dr. Shaw. 

This remarkable study shows that experiences early in life determine which brain cells (neurons) will connect with other brain cells, and which ones will die away. Because neural connections are responsible for all types of intelligence, a child’s brain develops to its full potential only with exposure to the necessary enriching experiences in early childhood. What Drs. Rauscher and Shaw have emphasized has been the causal relationship between early music training and the development of the neural circuitry that governs spatial intelligence. Their studies indicate that music training generates the neural connections used for abstract reasoning, including those necessary for understanding mathematical concepts.

American Music Conference Offers Parents Tips for Choosing the Right Music Teacher
Carlsbad, Calif. (August 8, 2005)—Contrary to popular belief, a good music teacher won’t drop you if you stink...a good music teacher won’t force you to play Chopin if you prefer Coldplay...a good music teacher won’t get frustrated if you make a few mistakes.

“All children have music inside of them; the idea is to let it out,” says Laura Johnson, associate executive director of the American Music Conference (AMC), a leading nonprofit music advocacy organization. “A good music teacher will nurture your child’s interest and inspire him or her to develop a lifelong passion that offers countless benefits. Studies show that making music helps young children perform better on standardized tests, and teens benefit academically and socially from active participation in music.”

“Choosing a music teacher is just as important as selecting a doctor or dentist for your child,” states Music Teacher’s National Association (MTNA) Executive Director Gary L. Ingle. “Finding the right music teacher is an investment in your child’s future, so you want to make sure you do enough research to make an informed decision.”

Every family will want to base its selection on compatibility in terms of both personality and teaching style, and professional and educational qualifications. You want to choose a teacher that makes an effort to understand his or her students’ musical tastes, ambitions and goals. Furthermore, families should find someone that truly has a passion for teaching children.

“A real music teacher needs much more than training to turn making music into a magical experience for his or her students,” says Jessica Baron Turner, author of Your Musical Child: Inspiring Kids to Play and Sing for Keeps. “He or she needs heart, spirit and education.”

How do you choose the right music teacher? AMC offers these tips to help you get started.

Get referrals. Consult with friends who have children enrolled in music lessons. Visit your local music retailer to find out if they offer music instruction on the premises or if they can recommend a reputable teacher. Talk to the band, orchestra and choir teachers at your school. Ask for recommendations from local music teacher organizations.

Conduct an interview. Arrange a phone or in-person meeting with a prospective teacher. You’ll want to have a list of questions prepared to find answers to his or her musical style and credentials. Also, find out about the teacher’s approach to practice, if he or she holds recitals, and how progress is rewarded. Don’t forget to ask about music. What books and materials will be used? Does the music instructor choose the music or does the child get to help? It’s important that you and your child’s goals and expectations are matched with the prospective teacher.

Observe a lesson. This may not always be possible. If not, see if you can arrange a one-time “meet-and-greet” to gauge your child’s comfort level and the teacher’s responsiveness.

Attend a recital. Ask the potential new instructor if you could attend the recital of an existing student.

Expect to play a role. Parents do play a pivotal role in their child’s music education as support is important to the learning process. Listen to your child play. Don’t distract him or her during practice time, and encourage individual taste in music.