Music and Cognitive Abilities in Children

Author - Jeevitha Ramesh

Did you know that children can enhance their memory, improve their learning and even improve their IQs through activities that are not only educational but also entertaining? It sounds magical, but it is true! One such activity is music. Many research studies have highlighted the impact of music on cognitive development, especially in children. It’s not just for entertainment; it also plays a crucial role in shaping the brain. In this blog, let us explore how music influences cognitive growth and various ways of introducing it into children’s lives so that it can transform their overall development. 

The Science of Brain and Music

The human brain is highly complex, and it needs regular stimulation. While children engage with music, they use different areas of their brains to work together, whether singing, listening to songs, or playing an instrument. These combined efforts can enhance their cognitive capacities in many ways. Let us look into how music has helped build their cognitive abilities.

1. Improving Memory and Attention: Learning to play a musical instrument or listening to music can significantly improve a child’s memory. In 2004, researchers from the University of Yale discovered that children who took music training greatly developed their memory abilities over children who did not. Music needs the brain to process and recall complex patterns like music notes, rhythms, and melodies, strongly improving memory skills. When a child is involved in music, the areas of the brain, such as the hippocampus (responsible for memory) and the prefrontal cortex (involved in attention and higher cognitive functions), are also activated. 

Over time, this leads to stronger neural connections and improved cognitive function, helping children with music and academics, problem-solving and concentration.

Fig 1: Frontal cortex and Hippocampus

2. Language proficiency: The brain's circuits for processing language and music overlap. As a child learns music, brain circuits - Broca’s area (responsible for speech production) and Wernicke’s (responsible for language comprehension) strengthen. These regions process musical patterns and language elements like tone and pitch. As children practice music, their brains can learn to differentiate its variations. This skill transfers to language, enhancing their grasp of language structures, words, and meaning. So, children with musical training also improve their verbal capabilities. 

Fig2: Broca’s and Wernicke's area 

3. IQ enhancement: Several research studies have shown the association between music and higher IQ levels. A survey conducted by Forgeard in 2008 at California University showed that children who learned music scored higher on IQ tests than those who didn't. The researchers used the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC), which measured various cognitive skills such as verbal comprehension, perceptual reasoning, working memory, and processing speed. So, over time, these abilities are translated into better performance on intelligence tests, showing that music training improves artistic abilities and strengthens overall cognitive function.

4. Spatial Skills: Children's spatial-temporal skills will improve as they learn music. These skills are essential for solving problems, particularly in science and maths. Children can better develop this skill when they learn to play an instrument like the piano because children can visualise patterns and comprehend the spatial links between notes and rhythms when teaching instruments.

Now, let us look into the practical ways to introduce music to children.

1. Starting it Early: As we all know, exposing children to good habits at an early age is always good. We can do the same for music. Listening to music has benefits even for infants. Singing lullabies and calming tunes can promote brain development from a very young age.

2. Make it fun: Don’t make music learning a task. Select musical instruments or genres the child likes and enjoys. Apps and interactive music games also can boost learning. Make it fun and child-centric so that they enjoy doing it.

3. Enrol in a music class: This gives structured learning and essential skills to learn music. This also helps the child to build social connections, enhancing emotional development. Overall, it’s a rich experience that nurtures growth in a child.

4. See live music Performances: Introduce children to live musical occasions. They may be inspired by this and expand their appreciation for the track. It can also be a superb family interest!

There are many stories of children who have benefited from early music education. For instance, The well-known composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, who started music at age five, also contributed to his top-notch cognitive capacity.

Another example is the Suzuki method, which was created by Japanese violinist Shinichi Suzuki. This technique teaches youngsters to learn songs by hearing them before coaching them to play. Kids with Suzuki method training have validated high-quality musical and cognitive competencies. 

Also, did you know music can be used to address various psychological and emotional challenges?

Yes, there is an evidence-based approach called music therapy, which is used as a therapeutic tool for children, adults, or older people. This therapy has been shown to reduce anxiety and improve emotional well-being. The calmness in the music can regulate stress hormones like cortisol, lower blood pressure, and enhance mood by stimulating the release of dopamine and endorphins, which are the brain’s “feel-good” chemicals.

In children, music therapy can help with developmental disorders such as autism, ADHD, and speech delays. A study by Baker and Jones in 2005 at Austin University found that music helped regulate the brain's timing mechanism, often disrupted in children with ADHD. Music gives a structured way to improve social skills, emotional regulation, and cognitive function. For example, rhythmic elements in music therapy can help children with ADHD focus better, while the structured nature of musical patterns can support children with autism in developing communication.

Further moving on, we all know India is the birthplace of classical music, such as Karnatik and Hindustani. These styles of music are structured and composed scientifically. It is based on ragas, the frameworks that follow pitch, rhythm, and time. What makes Indian classical music so scientific is the relationship between microtones, notes, timing, and rhythms. Each of these micro notes has specific emotions, energies, or moods and is thought to influence the brain uniquely.

Recent studies in musicology and neuroscience have shown that listening to or performing classical music can stimulate brainwave activity and promote mental relaxation, focus, memory retention, and emotional regulation. 

Similarly, different genres of music impact the brain in their ways. While classical music can enhance cognitive functions, rock music, on the other hand, can activate and stimulate dopamine release, responsible for feelings of pleasure, motivation, and reward. While classical music is linked to calming patterns, rock music is associated with alertness and high energy levels. However, depending on the listener’s mental state, this can be beneficial and overwhelming.

Having music as part of a child’s learning is not only about making the child a music prodigy; it is also about equipping them with a tool that improves their cognition, allows them to achieve academic success, and complements their lives. The scientific underpinnings of music show us that music is not just an art form but also a tool to activate the brain. Studies say music is a powerful partner in enhancing children's cognitive abilities. So, be it singing rhymes, playing an instrument, or even simply enjoying listening to music, we can make music a part of a child's daily routine. The benefits from this are very reflective and long-lasting. Music truly has the power to change minds—and lives.

References:

1. Rauscher, F. H., Shaw, G. L., & Ky, K. N. (1993). Music and spatial task performance. Nature, 365(6447), 611.

2. Moreno, S., Marques, C., Santos, A., Santos, M., Castro, S. L., & Besson, M. (2009). Musical training influences linguistic abilities in 8-year-old children: More evidence for brain plasticity. Cerebral Cortex, 19(3), 712-723.

3. Schellenberg, E. G. (2004). Music lessons enhance IQ. Psychological Science, 15(8), 511-514.

4. Hetland, L. (2000). Learning to make music enhances spatial reasoning. Journal of Aesthetic Education, 34(3/4), 179-238.