How Music Helps Children Learn

Topics: Child Development 

Age Range: Preschool 

Parents and caregivers know that children love music, whether it’s listening to it, singing and dancing along, or even making music themselves. Music is fun for children, but also plays an important role in learning. Here are some ways that research has shown how music helps children learn.

Helps in language development

Recent studies have shown that music develops the same area of the brain that’s associated with language processing. This can be why children’s songs that are also educational, such as the alphabet song, assist in helping children retain the information. Learning language involves understanding patterns of sounds and words, and music involves a similar process.

Increases spatial intelligence

Music can help children develop spatial intelligence, allowing them to better visualize the various steps and elements of a problem. This skill is a factor in learning such things as math, art, engineering, and computers.

Encourages greater working memory

Working memory helps children retain and sort information, and is used in reasoning and problem-solving. Studies have shown that musicians have better selective focus and can recall tasks easier than non-musicians.

Encourages creativity

Music is a highly creative area, and children who are exposed to music can develop their own creative thinking. Research suggests that this creativity can be extended into other areas such as problem-solving and critical thinking.

Enables learning in other areas

Music is engaging and compelling to children, and they have positive associations with it. Bringing music and its positive associations into other topics such as math or science can increase a child’s information retention and attitude about what they’re learning.

Whether your child is enrolled in official music lessons or just enjoys making up their own songs at home, offering greater exposure to music can help your child learn in a number of ways.