Music helps kid's memories

by Kristin Darguzas (Subscribe to Kristin Darguzas's posts) Sep 21st 2006 2:03PM

My memory is appallingly bad - if I didn't write everything down, my recollections would disappear into a vast abyss of space and time. Perhaps it was because I didn't have music lessons as a child. Really.

A Canadian study published today showed that one year after musical training, children performed better in memory tests than peers who didn't have training.

Researchers say that if children take music lessons, their brains are "getting wired up differently" than if they don't take the lessons - and apparently, that wiring is better. Previous studies have shown that older children given music lessons had greater improvements in IQ scores than children given drama lessons.

Perhaps it's more important to give Nolan a piano than a hockey stick, but I have the feeling his father will need some convincing.

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

ann adams 9-21-2006 @ 2:30PM

I believe the study. Music and math are closely related for starters. It requires perseverance, practice, accuracy, memory, and discipline.

That is, I believe it works with children. I'm a former church organist so why does it take me 3 trips to the kitchen to remember I originally went after my coffee cup?

Jonathon 9-21-2006 @ 3:59PM

Let Nolan do both!

Jenn 9-22-2006 @ 12:57PM

I took piano lessons for years, and was also in band starting at age 11. I have an excellent memory...for completely useless things! (well not completely useless, but it seems I can remember trivia and historical facts better than what I was going to pick up at the grocery store!)
That said, I have always planned that my children will get some sort of music training. There are so many benefits, even if they aren't virtuoso performers, that it seems like a deprivation to NOT give them to them.
And remember, singing in the choir or playing drums is musical training too!