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Does Music Make Us Smarter?

Does your baby love to play with musical toys? Does he clap, rock or bounce up and down when you put on a familiar CD? Can you feel him relax in your arms when you sing his favorite lullaby?

Music is a universal language and most children, like most adults, respond to it with joy. But music also provides powerful stimulation for infants and toddlers, fostering healthy intellectual, physical, social and emotional development with long-ranging effects.

The Mozart Effect
A widely-publicized study published by Nature in October 1993 set off an explosion of programs and products claiming to enhance infant brain development through classical music. "The Mozart Effect," as it's come to be known, also sparked controversy in scientific circles because the original study had nothing to do with children and showed no long-term intellectual effects. In fact, that study was conducted on college students and found only temporary improvements in spatial IQ test scores.

But while the Mozart Effect has been widely misinterpreted, it did lead psychologist Frances Rauscher and neuroscientist Gordon Shaw, the team responsible for the original study, to further explore the link between music and early brain development. Their subsequent studies confirm a positive relationship between early music training and advanced cognitive abilities, especially in the areas of math and science. In a series of studies with young children, for example, Drs. Rauscher and Shaw found that preschoolers who received music lessons showed greater spatial and temporal reasoning abilities and performed better on assembly tasks than their peers who did not participate in music lessons, including those who received computer lessons over the same period. Other researchers have found that singing lessons, instruction on rhythm instruments, and playing with songbells (a simple instrument used in many preschool classrooms) improved children's spatial and mathematical reasoning abilities.

While music is most commonly linked with spatial and temporal reasoning -- important foundations for math and science success -- some studies show a connection between music training and literacy as well. A study in Downey, California, showed that first graders who had at least one year of music instruction were reading one grade level above classmates who did not participate in music lessons; students with two or more years of music instruction scored even higher. Another study found that first grade students who received instruction in listening skills using classical music scored significantly higher on certain sections of reading and language arts tests than students who had not received the instruction.

It's really no surprise that music has positive effects on literacy. After all, singing has always been a key component in language development: It's a great way to engage children in exploring sounds, words, and rhymes and one of the most effective tools for enhancing memory. Who among us would have learned the alphabet if not for the ABC song? And who can imagine a visit to Sesame Street without a healthy dose of music?

Fostering Confidence and Self-Esteem
Perhaps the most underestimated benefit of children exploring music is the boost in self esteem they experience in the process. "Music is a genetic gift that we all have and our natural inclination is to use those gifts that we have," says Linda Page Neelly, Associate Professor of Music at the University of Connecticut at Storrs. "It is a natural ability and it's an intuitive way that children can express themselves." By encouraging young children to develop their musical talents through playful, open-ended activities (where there is no right way or wrong way to do things), we give them an outlet for expressing themselves even before they can speak and we offer every child the opportunity to succeed. Educators and parents agree that music education and exploration encourage self-esteem and creativity, and numerous studies have shown that a positive self image is essential for success in school.

Lifelong Benefits
Many music educators believe that exposing a child to music as early as possible is the best way to encourage lifelong involvement with music, and some studies suggest that musicians, whether by profession or passion alone, tend to show higher aptitude in academic areas throughout their lives. In 2001, the College Entrance Examination Board reported that students who had taken music appreciation or had performed in musical groups consistently scored higher on verbal and math portions of the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) than students with no arts education. A 1994 study of medical school applicants found that 66 percent of music majors were admitted, higher than any other discipline. Countless studies confirm that students of all ages who participate in music programs consistently achieve at higher levels academically than peers with no involvement in music.

As with so many skills, the earlier one is exposed to the joys of music, the more accomplished he's likely to become and the greater the benefits for brain development. Two studies conducted by Dr. Rauscher and colleagues found that children who began music instruction at age five showed more advanced spatial reasoning abilities than peers who did not receive instruction, but the test scores of children who began music instruction after age seven did not differ from peers with no musical instruction.

When children are encouraged to explore and create music at an early age, they develop and strengthen many of the skills they'll need to succeed in school and in life. They sharpen language and thinking skills and build confidence and self-esteem. They learn to express themselves creatively and connect with others. And sharing the joys of music is a great way to strengthen the lifelong bond between parent and child. Now isn't that music to your ears?

Click here to find out What You Can Do At Home to encourage your little one to explore the wonders of music!

And check out some of our favorite musical toys, books, videos and DVDs to share with your budding musician:

Musical Toys:

Music Videos and DVDs:

Music-themed Board Books: