Celebrating the Scholastic Benefits of Music Education

This June 21, musicians of all skill levels and genres around the world will show off their prowess on World Music Day. Founded 38 years ago in Paris, France, the Fête de la Musique is a public celebration of the musical arts that has blossomed into a beloved international event. As it draws near, it's a good time to learn more about the important role it plays in our children's education.

Music education inspires passion and creativity during study, but the far-reaching academic benefits it offers may surprise some parents. Though extra time and focus on problem subjects can play a role in improving academic outcomes, as it turns out, so can their time spent in music classrooms and private lessons.

Higher Grades

When children are struggling in one or more subjects, it can lead to feelings of low confidence, test anxiety, and frustration that's tough for them to surmount. Time spent in music education has been linked to improvements in English, math, history, and science grades, as well as higher scores on state-mandated standardized testing.

Increased Perseverance

Staying on task when doing difficult, monotonous, or undesirable work isn't fun, but it is a necessary skill to have. Children who engage in instrumental training during their early childhoods, whether formal lessons or home-taught beginner keyboard, have been shown to demonstrate more willingness to persevere when asked to complete a task requiring focus and attention.

Better Verbal Memory

The ability to hear, process, and recall what's being said during lessons is an important part of scholastic success, but when verbal recollection is lacking, taking notes and absorbing concepts becomes difficult. Receipt of musical training prior to age twelve has been linked to consistently higher scores in verbal recollection ability.

Music education doesn't just offer scholastic benefits to children, it also encourages healthy social and emotional development that can play a role in their future success. This informative infographic compiled by We The Parents details 17 key ways that children benefit from music education -- have a look.

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Guest blogger Neve Spicer is the founder and director of WeTheParents.org.

This article is supported by www.melissarooneywriting.com.

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