Music learning increases pre-reading skills and vocabulary
Music learning in early childhood increases pre-reading skills and vocabulary.
The results of this study of 90 3-6-year-olds found that early childhood music training can lead to associated improvements in both musical skills and language skills, thus strengthening the evidence for a developmental link between these two abilities.
The study also found that “singing ability was correlated with language skills”. These are fantastic findings and they build on a rapidly growing group of studies that are identifying the effectiveness of music as a developmental tool in early childhood, not just for language but for many other skills.
These kinds of statements bring into question the reason why young children don’t just deserve but need music education. Is it for musical skills or non-musical skills? We don’t believe it is an either/or argument – it is both. We looked into the full text of this study and found some fantastic details about the music-learning experiences themselves, as well as the philosophy behind them. Here is an excerpt, the final line really sums it all up.
“All children in this study participated in group music education classes, held at The Royal Conservatory’s downtown Toronto facility. These classes lasted eight months (from September until May), with normal breaks for holidays; there were a total of 28 classes. Individual attendance records were not kept by the teachers, but other records indicate that attendance tended to be high, near 75%, with the majority of those who did not attend regularly dropping out altogether. These classes used the Smart Start curriculum, a new curriculum developed in-house. This curriculum, applicable for children ages 0–6, is intended to incorporate current understandings of cognitive psychology into the activity design. Each activity was constructed by subject-matter specialists in music or other arts and reviewed and edited by the Royal Conservatory’s early childhood music specialist (Catherine West). Curriculum activities were designed to teach specific musical skill while incorporating the use of one or more cognitive domains, which included attention, memory, perception, and cognitive flexibility. Subsequent to this, each activity was reviewed by a trained cognitive neuroscientist (the author), in order to ensure that it did in fact target the appropriate cognitive domain in an (age-appropriately) challenging way. The purpose of this curriculum is to ensure that the classes maximize students’ engagement and current abilities. Importantly, lessons were not designed to teach the children specific cognitive skills, but rather to engage these skills through music; the primary goal of each class remained effective music training.”
Hutchins, S. (2018). Early Childhood Music Training and Associated Improvements in Music and Language Abilities. Music Perception: An Interdisciplinary Journal, 35(5), 579-593.
Music learning is the most effective way, both in terms of time and impact, to prime the brain for language learning.
If you are looking to develop your child’s emotional, social, motor and cognitive skills from early childhood, then try introducing music in early educational programs. Watch this video to learn more!
As humans, we are built on stories. The stories we were told, or told ourselves, when we were young, carry through to our adulthood. We share wisdom through stories, and we teach through stories. How do we as music teachers tell the story of our work?
This article delves into the transformative impact of music education, particularly for underserved students, and a strategic tool for addressing academic challenges, boosting attendance, language skills, and social integration.
You don’t have to be a musician to reap the benefits of music. Enjoying music activates a slew of brain regions, including areas involved in hearing, movement, reward, and emotion.
The field of neuromusical research has reached a new stage – large data-driven studies that are seeking to understand the overall effect of music learning on cognitive development and academic achievement.
The 2024 Celebrate to Advocate Calendar is your go-to guide for making advocacy effortless this year!
Research Bites make it effortless for your community to grasp the advantages of music education. They are the perfect addition to your emails, on your social media or in your e-newsletters!
Research Quick Reads aim to equip you with key insights to share the benefits of music education with your school leaders, staff, or parents. Consider these your secret weapon for initiating meaningful conversations on this topic.
Social psychology author, Brene Brown, uses the term Art Scars, which are experiences people have had as children in the arts that are deeply affecting. Art Scars might just be the hidden influence impacting your music learning advocacy.
Professor Sarah Wilson explains how singing is a form of natural therapy in this video by ABC Classic. She highlights the effect that singing has on motor networks, listening networks, planning and organisational networks, memory, language, and emotional networks. Essentially, singing is a full workout for the brain!
Recent research suggests that music, especially preferred tunes, can serve as potent painkillers. A study conducted by Darius Valevicius from McGill University found that participants listening to their favourite tracks experienced significantly reduced pain intensity and unpleasantness compared to silence or scrambled sound.
New research suggests that playing instruments and singing may support brain health as we age. A study found that engaging in musical activities, especially playing keyboard instruments, correlates with improved memory and cognitive function later in life.
Packed with BBB updates and our year in review, a new opinion piece written by Dr Anita Collins, a new community success story, and so much more. Fireworks will inspire and motivate you to advocate for music education.
This article dives into the history and enduring vitality of the Brisbane City Pops Orchestra who have recently celebrated their milestone 50th-anniversary performance. The orchestra boasts a diverse ensemble of musicians spanning generations, including members who have been involved since the beginning.
A recent study published in the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry found that individuals with a history of musical experience, regardless of proficiency or instrument played, exhibited better memory and executive function.
New research challenges traditional theories of infant language acquisition, suggesting that babies primarily learn language through rhythmic rather than phonetic information in their initial months.
Packed with BBB updates and our year in review, a new opinion piece written by Dr Anita Collins, a new research reflection, and so much more. Fireworks will inspire and motivate you to advocate for music education.
This video contains excerpts from an ARTSpeaks event held on November 8, 2021. In this video, neurobiologist Nina Kraus explores the impact that music learning has on young students in the areas of reading skills, sound processing, language abilities, and more.