Imagine snuggling into your bed after a long and busy day, only to be interrupted by the neighbor’s kid playing the drums. As annoying as it may be, they might be on to something. Children who learn to play music actually do better on standardized tests and develop academic skills faster than children who don’t.
A study of almost 12,000 students in 20 Puerto Rican elementary schools tried to find a connection between the existence of music programs and academic performance. They collected data of standardized test scores from schools with and without music programs.
Children from schools with mandatory music programs were better at reading than children from schools without music programs, according to the standardized test scores. Playing music uses many more parts of the brain at once than any other activity, possibly explaining its positive effect on academic performance.
So if you’re debating whether to sign your child up for piano lessons, or when your child begs you for voice lessons in hopes of becoming the next big star, consider all the benefits that could come with it. Learning music cannot only become a lifelong hobby and remarkable talent, but it can also help your child grow and develop academically.
Written by Tanya Nagpal