Research

Music and Brain

A large-scale study that took place over a long period of time shows the connections that music lessons have on improving children’s cognitive skills and academic performance. 

Dr. Artur Jaschke from VU University of Amsterdam teamed with Dr. Henkjan Honing and Dr. Erik Sherder to initiate a “long-term study on the possible effects of music education on cognitive skills that may underlie academic achievement.”

This is the first study of its type in the Netherlands. The study included 147 students in primary schools over 2 1/2 years. Their research found that “structured music lessons significantly enhance children’s cognitive abilities – particularly around inhibition, planning and verbal intelligence and therefore their academic achievement”.

If you’d like to learn more please go to the Music Education Works Blog.