A two-year study by researchers at the Brain and Creativity Institute (BCI) at the University of Southern California shows that exposure to music and music instruction accelerates the brain development of young children in the areas responsible for language development, sound, reading skill and speech perception.
There is an update to this study here and we hope to have a new update very soon.
The study of 6-7-year-old children began in 2012, when neuroscientists started monitoring a group of 37 children from an underprivileged neighbourhood of Los Angeles. Thirteen of them received music instruction through the Youth Orchestra Los Angeles Program where they practiced up to seven hours each week.
Eleven children were enrolled in a community-based soccer programme, and another 13 children were not involved in any training programme at all.
The researchers compared the three groups by tracking the electrical activity in the brains, conducting behavioural testing and monitored changes using brain scans.
The results showed that the auditory systems of the children in the music programme had accelerated faster than the other children not engaged in music. Dr. Assal Habibi, the lead author of the study and a senior research associate at the BCI, explained that the auditory system is stimulated by music and the system is also engaged in general sound processing. This is essential to reading skills, language development and successful communication.
SOURCES:
Science Direct: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1878929315301122
Science World Report: http://www.scienceworldreport.com/articles/42317/20160615/childrens-brain-develop-faster-exposure-music-instruction.htm
University of Southern California: https://dornsife.usc.edu/bci/brain-and-music/
Southern California Public Radio: http://www.scpr.org/news/2016/06/15/61697/usc-study-continues-to-provide-data-on-music-and-b/
News Medical: http://www.news-medical.net/news/20160616/Music-instruction-improves-cognitive-socio-emotional-development-in-young-children.aspx
Slipped Disc: http://slippedisc.com/2016/06/la-phil-research-learning-music-speeds-up-kids-brains/
DETAILS:
| BENEFIT: | BRAIN DEVELOPMENT |
| TARGET GROUP: | CHILDREN |
| AGE: | 6-7 YEARS OLD |
| MUSIC TYPE: | CLASSICAL (EL SISTEMA) |
| TYPE OF STUDY: | ACADEMIC RESEARCH |
| NOs INVOLVED: | 37 |
| PERIOD OF STUDY: | 2 YEARS (OF A 5 YEAR STUDY) |
| DATE: | 2016 |
| PLACE: | USA |
Music Education Works 
Permission to reprint in a school newsletter?
LikeLike
Thanks for your interest. Yes of course, the information is in the public domain and I’m happy for you to use our copy about it – would be great if you’d include a link to our site.
LikeLike
I believe this study should begin at Age 2 or 3- alongside Early Years Skills Development…. Music is 3D math in motion… it’s boost in Brain Power is incalculable. Perhaps Public School should begin at these ages too!
LikeLike
I love that comment – music is 3D math in motion, thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
What were the results for the children playing soccer?
LikeLike
Hi there, thanks for your comment – I’m afraid I don’t know the results for sport, but if you’re interested you could try contacting the researchers direct at the USC https://dornsife.usc.edu/bci/brain-and-music/ – hope this helps, all the best, Anita
LikeLike
I knew the value of music 1st handed.I graduatedWVU where we did music therapy in nursing . My daughter inlaw, also a nurse , did an experiment on her firt born. I gave Brandi all of my classical music and my grandaughter was exposed to these masterpieces in utero. This accelerated her in meeting her milestones early in infancy. She was tested in NC for advanced placement in school and her IQ was scored at 181. Although this is just one subject in our study, we proved the value of music on brain development. Oh course she plays guitar to our delight. She is now a Jr @ UNC Chapel Hill, NC. Music is great medicine for the mind!
LikeLike
That’s a lovely story thanks for sharing it Debbie. It’s great that you did music therapy in nursing, that’s not usual in the UK where we’re based, is WVU Western Virginia University? Music certainly is great medicine and a fantastic companion throughout learning and life.
LikeLike
Thank you for sharing. I would be so curious to see this same study conducted on younger children
. !
LikeLike
Thanks Terrie, me too! There are other studies on the site relating to young children https://musiceducationworks.wordpress.com/?s=early+years
LikeLike
I am interested in a similarity or connection between Barok music and African music. Has any research been done on it?
LikeLike
I’m afraid I don’t know Tei: we only really collect research that’s about the impact/effect of music, if we collected other research this would be a huge site! Good luck with finding out more.
LikeLike
I would love to see this done with younger children as well !
LikeLike
Thanks for commenting Vicki – do check out that link above for more research relating to younger children https://musiceducationworks.wordpress.com/?s=early+years
LikeLike
so cool
LikeLike
Would concur with the results. What about other end of scale? i.e. Older adults, say over 70? My learning to play saxophone extended my thought processes enormously!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have a 92 year old trumpet student- he and another retired fellow and I just played a 1 hour trumpet gig today- it certainly does keep the brain sharp!
LikeLike
That’s wonderful, thank you for sharing this, I have a lovely image in my mind!
LikeLike
This is great info! Could you follow up a bit on what happened with the kids in soccer and those that didn’t have any sports or music? What were the results for them? I’d be curious to know. Thanks!
LikeLike
Your wonderful study also supports research regarding the vital importance of the Fine Arts and Whole Brain Learning. In my 35 years as a visual arts teacher, some progress has been made however, the uphill battle continues. Sadly many of our public schools have cut or totally eliminated Music, Art, Theater and Dance from their budgets and curriculum. We wonder why kids can’t read, spell and write a complete sentence. Emotional Intelligence cannot be fostered by logic, memorization and facts which serve to keep us disconnected from our personal, creative powers and the positive energy of our 5 senses.
LikeLike
Reblogged this on heatheryanta.
LikeLike
Thank you Heather!
LikeLike
I teach a blended 1st/2nd grade class. I almost always have classical music playing in the background.
LikeLike
Shared this with our local Youth Orchestra
LikeLike
Thank you Amy!
LikeLike
The positive benefits of learning music is undeniable! Share your story —
CONTEST – Why Learn Music? – ‘Make the Case!’
Info here: http://www.stringquest.com/make-the-case
LikeLike
My children are learning to sing in a small group. Everytime i pick them up they are always so joyful and happy. They bpth siffer anxiety and musoc has been a blessing .
LikeLike
Thanks for commenting – that’s lovely to hear – music certainly is powerful and a lifeline for many.
LikeLike
Reblogged this on Free Your Child.
LikeLike
Desde hace 12 años vengo investgando sobre la musca y su efecto en el cerebro, me gustaria compartir mis experiencias con uds, aunque tengo ciertas aclaraciones sobre todo con los efectos de la musica mal llamada clasica.almagua2002 @ yahoo.com
Translation: For 12 years I have been researching on music and its effect on the brain, I would like to share my experiences with you, although I have some clarifications especially with the effects of the badly called musica clasica.
LikeLike
Music really has this power: It improves our learning, coordination, concentration, memorization and many other benefits.
Music is life – Thanks for the post.
LikeLike
Excellent article! Yes, yes, yes! I use a program called Sing, Spell, Read & Write. Find out about it if you like using music in the classroom to teach. It’s great!
LikeLike
I use tutorial rap, chants, songs from youtube (Flocabulary, things I’ve made up, etc) when teaching some of the academic reading skills. The kids love it and remember it better. “Point of View” from Flocabulary was a huge hit.
LikeLike
I love hearing that teachers are using all sorts of music as a creative learning tool, thanks for sharing this.
LikeLike
The results certainly sound promising/positive. However, I wonder whether the “control” group would show some improvement if only for the positive interaction with a teacher or mentor of any specialty?
LikeLike
Thanks for commenting – fair point and there’s always that question over any research of this kind – of course the music instruction was being part of an orchestra, so group-based and not based on one-to-one mentoring.
LikeLike
hello thanks for your article! I traslated it into Italian (you can check it on this link http://musiconly4.blogspot.it/2017/04/il-cervello-di-un-bambino-si-sviluppa.html), I included a link to the original article 🙂
LikeLike
Ah, that’s lovely Cristina, so nice to see it in Italian! Thanks for spreading the word.
LikeLike
Music has played a huge part in the development of my (autistic) son’s speech and reading skills, so it is good to see that scientific study into this matter is taking place, and that the results were positive in favour of music.
LikeLike
The above comment was from me…I forgot to change the details which are my Husband’s.
LikeLike
Thanks Moira, always pleasing to hear real life stories
LikeLike
Do you have any information on how it may aid children who have been diagnosed with ADHD? If so, what process was/is used?
Thank you
LikeLike
Hi Aniela, there are a few studies about music and ADHD – here is one specifically:
https://musiceducationworks.wordpress.com/2016/12/01/boomwhackers-study-suggests-music-training-can-help-with-autism-and-adhd/
And here are the studies that are related to ‘attention’:
https://musiceducationworks.wordpress.com/?s=attention
Hope this helps,
All the best,
Anita and Dyfan
LikeLike
I home educate 4 children, 3 girls 4,11,14 and my son 6, he struggles to sit and learn. Gets bored very easily. I’m going to try the sing, spell, read and write that a lady mentioned above, I’m also looking into some instruments and learn myself how to play them while I try and teach the kids, My one daughter has a guitar and self taught some cords. I have noticed they enjoy colouring to music. We spent 3 hours sat at table with all sorts of songs on and they sang and coloured. A rare thing for my son to sit that long and engage. He hasn’t got ADHD etc etc he’s just a non stop kid! Would rather burn off his energy, which after reading some material is normal for boys apparently. But yes will be definitely be incorporating more music and instruments. Just thought of another thing, my 14 year old is very artistic, she usually has her music on while she paints and draws in her room. So yes music all the way!
LikeLike
Thanks Clare – I’m not sure where you’re based but if you’re in the UK it’s worth contacting your local music education hub or community music organisation who sometimes have activities specifically for home-educated young people – good luck with your family’s music!
LikeLike
Yes, singing/chanting to melody is great, It really works! My dad used this technique instinctively with my brother and me for memorising music theory for exams… I can STILL remember them 30 years later. No joke! My bro and I laugh about it with such gratitude.
LikeLike
Thanks Eve, lovely to hear these stories
LikeLike
What happened with the group who took soccer in comparison to music or nothing? Was there any development with the soccer group?
LikeLike
Good question thanks for commenting – I’m afraid we don’t know, that information isn’t shared publicly.
LikeLike
This may serve as motivation for parents to have their children involved in music. Same thing we’re doing here in Perth, Western Australia we support and evangelize music education.
LikeLike
Great to hear from people all over the world with the same mission – thanks for commenting 🙂
LikeLike
Yes, totally agree. Music teaches so much. Kids who learn an instrument are far more likely to take the good habits learnt through practice into other areas of their life.
LikeLike
Thanks for commenting Darren, we obviously agree!
LikeLike
Interesting, succinct article, thank you. There is a great deal of case studies being undertaken in the UK – all of which demonstrates positive impact on children’s learning and life skills. And yes, giving musical experiences from babyhood is essential – and works! Have a look at https://www.musichouseforchildren.co.uk/posts/case-studies to see the huge range of beneficiaries as a consequence of music making and experiences. Music should be compulsory for all babies, toddlers, children – and adults too!
LikeLike
Thanks for commenting Emma 🙂
LikeLike
Love the information and dontbdisagree at all. I am a preschool teacher and love teaching through music. My daughter, aged 12 now, played the piano for awhile, I got very tired of reminding her to practice daily and therefore did not encourage her to take an instrument in middle school. Thoughts on kids who don’t want to practice?
LikeLike
Hi there Annette – we feel your pain and we’ve been through the same with our daughter. Don’t think there’s an easy answer, particularly as each child is different. It’s a combination of finding the right instrument, letting them lead their learning to a certain extent (greater intrinsic motivation) and in my personal view, finding ways they can be creative not just plod through other people’s music. Here’s a blog I read a while ago on the subject which may help? https://musiccentral.co.uk/2016/03/17/motivating-child-practice/
LikeLike
Soooo… does death metal count? What about trance or drum and bass? Is Marilyn Manson a good feature artist for my child?
LikeLike
We are ALL about inclusive and genre-neutral music making (see our article http://musicstage.co/article/1154/are-hierarchical-attitudes-to-genre-holding-young-people-back), but research on wider genres is limited currently, definitely something for the academic community to consider
LikeLike
Although there is this research in the UK which is about young people-led music focusing on the music they are passionate about http://network.youthmusic.org.uk/posts/cabinet-office-funded-impact-audit-states-noise-solution-statistically-significant-read-report
LikeLike
Yes! Thank God for MUSIC!
LikeLike
When you say music education, does that mean they were in band, choir or learning an instrument? Or were they listening to music while they were taught or studying?
LikeLike
Hi Kathryn – neither of those, quite! “Thirteen of them received music instruction through the Youth Orchestra Los Angeles Program where they practiced up to seven hours each week.” If you follow the links there’s more information. All the best, Anita
LikeLike
Amazing!
LikeLike