Music Education Works

Arts participation helps with social and emotional skills

A review of 18 peer-reviewed studies about arts participation, published between 2000 and 2015, adds to the growing evidence about how arts participation helps young children – in particular those with autism – to develop strong social and emotional skills. The report was published by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) in Washington DC, USA in December 2015.

What if … every child had access to music education

Another powerful presentation from academic Anita Collins, asking what the impact might be if a generation’s cognitive abilities are raised – and she gives evidence that it’s possible – through music education. To view the video, click anywhere on this excerpt …

Music could help close achievement gap between poor and affluent students

A study by Northwestern University researchers looked at the impact of music education on at-risk children’s nervous systems and found that music lessons could help them develop language and reading skills.

The researchers spent two summers with children from poor neighbourhoods in Los Angeles who were receiving music lessons through the Harmony Project, a non-profit organisation providing free music education to low income students. Click anywhere to read more …

Using music as a coping strategy for mental health – blog

November 29, 2018 anitanee

With Olly Murs and other stars performing in a major mental health fundraiser a couple of weeks ago, Music 4 Mental Health, music and mental health is in the headlines again. Most of us have used music at some point to improve our mood or add atmosphere to our surroundings. But how does music impact on our emotional wellbeing and how can you use it to improve your own or others’ mental health?