Researchers from the University of Geneva and Université de Lausanne in Switzerland have found that formal, intensive, musical instrument training in a group setting in primary schools can enhance their cognitive development.
Category: Cognitive ability/development
The Argument for Music Education
Nina Kraus, Hugh Knowles Professor, and Travis White-Schwoch, senior data analyst, both at Northwestern University, argue that music education should be part of every child’s curriculum.
Children who regularly play a musical instrument have better memory and attention span
Neuroscientists in Chile have found new evidence that learning to play a musical instrument may be good for the brain.
ArtsTrain music scheme improved deprived children’s creativity and wellbeing
The impact of an ArtsTrain music making programme has been highlighted in a new evaluation report.
Rhythm-based music programme helps pre-school children control their impulsive responses
Researchers in Germany have found that a rhythm-based music programme helped pre-school children control one of their executive functions: their impulsive responses.
Australian primary school transformed by music
Small, rural primary school at Yahl in South Australia transformed by music.
Music students score higher in maths, science, and English than non-music student peers
Research by the University of British Colombia, Canada, shows that high school students who take music courses score significantly higher in other subjects than their non-musical peers.
Music programme improves IQ, reading and concentration for children from disadvantaged backgrounds
The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of a classic music training programme (Démos) on the cognitive development of children from low socio-economic backgrounds.
Early years music can help close the attainment gap for young people with complex needs
The recently launched ‘Sounds of Intent in the Early Years’ research report provides powerful evidence that every child should have the right to access music.
Music for Education & Wellbeing Podcast: Dr Anita Collins on music & the brain
A new podcast by Anita Holford, co-editor of Music Education Works, features Australian music educator and researcher, Dr Anita Collins. You may know Anita from her TED Ed lesson, How playing an instrument benefits your brain, and her TEDx talk, What if every child had access to music education from birth? And more recently, she’s starred in the Australian version of a British TV show, ‘Don’t Stop the Music’.
Don’t stop the music – Australian TV series featuring Anita Collins
‘Don’t Stop the Music’ an Australian TV series looks at the value of music education with Dr Anita Collins, and follows the progress of Guy Sebastian and James Morrison as they mentor disadvantaged children in Perth, Australia.
Musical training could improve executive function
The results of a new study in the USA suggests that musical training can improve a person’s ability to solve problems and think in an abstract way.
Music Education Works 