How Music Aids Kids Learning

The power of music is indisputable. Our favorite song can fill us with joy. Music triggers memories long forgotten, attaches itself to our favorite moments, and stirs emotion like nothing else. Science has shown again and again how music affects the brain. It is a universal language that brings us all together. Young and old from all around the world have a relationship with music, and children are no exception.

🎵 What Montessori says about music and multisensory learning: Maria Montessori incorporated music, rhythm, and movement throughout her curriculum. She believed that the arts, including music, are not supplementary to education but central to it, because they engage the whole child: mind, body, and spirit. Montessori classrooms traditionally include singing, rhythm instruments, and movement activities as part of the daily prepared environment. Research on music and brain development (Schlaug et al., 2005, Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences) found that children who received musical training showed measurably greater development in the areas of the brain responsible for motor control, auditory processing, and language. A landmark meta-analysis by Hetland (2000, Journal of Aesthetic Education) confirmed that music instruction produces significant, reliable improvements in spatial-temporal reasoning, a key foundation for mathematics.

Music is an excellent tool for learning. We all know the feeling of singing along to a song we did not even realize we knew. That in itself is a great example of music as a teaching tool: the song becomes part of memory without any conscious effort. Children of all ages, learning styles, and abilities can benefit from the power of music. Research has shown the ability of music to physically change the brain and develop it in ways nothing else can.

20+ Ways Music Aids Children's Learning

🎵 The full list

Helps to boost alertness
Stimulates different areas of the brain than anything else
Increases language skills
Decreases stress response
Increases attention
Grows vocabulary, grammar skills, and knowledge of the written word
Teaches poetry and prose
Helps build long-term memory
Decreases errors
Raises phonological awareness
Improves auditory discrimination
Helps develop right/left brain integration
Increases neural activity and responsiveness
Boosts memory ability overall and triggers the brain to remember
Evokes emotion and allows emotion to be more relatable
Stimulates imagination and leads to more creative thinking
Introduces new concepts, words, and ideas
Demonstrates a unique method of storytelling
Teaches the brain mathematical pattern and rhythm
Encourages movement and full-body learning
In students with learning differences, music has been shown to boost social skills, fine and gross motor skills, auditory awareness, verbal skills, and more
Improves focus, even long term
Provides repetition which aids in memory

Classical Music and Beyond

Most of us have heard that classical music is excellent for the brain, and this has been shown time and time again. Listening to classical music, especially specific composers, has proven dramatic effects. Retention rates increase, test scores go up, children's stress levels go down, and satisfaction with lessons goes up.

Children do not need to focus exclusively on classical music for music to aid learning. All types of music have their place. A lively song can help boost energy and provide a needed reset for a sluggish student. A fun dance tune is a great way to get the wiggles out. Line dancing to a country song helps with coordination, right/left brain integration, and learning music tone and beat. Try rewriting a pop song when teaching a new concept, or let your children take the lead and write their own.

Including music from other cultures is an excellent way to travel the world without ever leaving home. Listening to songs in another language has been shown to boost the ability to learn that language. Exposing children to other cultures and experiences has never been easier. Children with a background in music have been shown to learn a foreign language more readily. In fact, children who learn to play an instrument have even been shown to hear sounds other children are not able to hear. Music opens children up not only to other cultures but to other sounds entirely.

Children do not have to play an instrument to get the benefits. All they need is exposure to plenty of music, a good variety including classical, and the music will do the rest. Keep the volume at a comfortable level and follow the lead of your child. As home educators and teachers, including music in your day comes with remarkable benefits.

Music at ShillerLearning

Did you know that Founder Larry Shiller has performed as a classical violinist throughout his life? At ShillerLearning we use all learning modalities and teach to all five of children's senses. Including music in our lessons is an important part of what we do. We have carefully developed songs designed to help children learn math, language arts, geography, and more.