An authored article by Bindu Subramaniam, Co-founder and CEO of Subramaniam Academy of Performing Arts (SaPa)
The education domain is a concerto of various subjects, all contributing to a fulfilling academic experience for learners. Attaining academic excellence is the goal of the educational system, where teachers and students are constantly exploring ways and methods to achieve it.
At educational institutions, students’ lives mostly revolve around acquiring knowledge and excelling academically. Here, music education, which rather seems to be an unrelated subject, is known to have a profound impact on the growth mindset of students. The harmonious connection between music and academics has proven to be very advantageous to young learners.
There are instances where young learners are trying to solve a difficult mathematical equation and struggling with it. Then introduce melodious music into the environment and much to the delight of the students the problem is easily solved, indicating music has a magical effect on academic performance and empowers learners for success. Music also has the power to cultivate numerous skills such as discipline, patience, determination, confidence, time management, and more, all of which set the stage for academic excellence.
In the next few lines, we explore the deep impact of music education on academic performance with emphasis on the harmonious connection between them, benefiting learners.
Improves cognitive performance
Young children who take music lessons are known to have better reading ability and memory power in addition to general reasoning and critical-thinking skills. Music education prepares the brain for achievement so children not only develop musical skills but gain more competencies that extend to academic areas. Yes, several cognitive processes are stimulated with music education which in turn nurture skills that drive academic success. Memorizing notes and rhythm patterns in music classes will aid students in remembering their academic subject matter well. Learning to play a musical instrument requires a lot of regular practicing and paying attention to details, and these skills help students to focus and engage better in studying other academic subjects as well. Auditory skills get further honed too. Constant practice in music lessons can improve the study habits of young individuals which eventually leads to better academic achievements.
Enhances mathematical competence
Several studies demonstrate the connection between music and mathematics. Music training comprises ratios and fractions which are the basic concepts in mathematics and music and it also has the capability of creating neural connections that enable mathematical understanding.
Research has shown there is a high correlation between learning music and spatial-temporal reasoning which is used for math skills. Patterns are found in beats and rhythms in music lessons and also when learning about number systems, picture shapes, and patterns. Math is used in the creation of music where the production and recording of music are based on mathematical principles. Musical elements are represented through mathematical notation making the connection deeper. This connection can aid students who are experiencing challenges with the math subject and get a better understanding of numerical concepts. Music learning involves analyzing and interpreting musical scores which are close to solving mathematical problems.
Promotes Language and Literary Skills
It is proven that when children are engaged in music practice, it improves their literacy-related language skills too. When they learn to read the music sheet, they begin to recognize symbols and their corresponding sounds. Phonological awareness gets elevated which is the base for reading and the development of languages. Exposure to various genres also enriches the vocabulary of the learner, enabling better verbal communication and written expression. Research also shows regular music practice can help in strengthening the foundations for phonics and word recognition. Yes, musicians are better at reading comprehension and rapid auditory processing compared to non-musicians. Students can express themselves more creatively with the emotional nuances of music and this ability to be expressive fosters confident communication and effective presentation. Listening skills are honed with the student’s ability to decipher various instruments and layers of sound. This skill is crucial for a better understanding of lectures and other complex concepts in their academic subjects.
Several educational institutions today have begun to recognize the power of music education and consider it an integral part of holistic education and not merely an extra-curricular activity. In the field of education, the harmonious connection between music and academic performance is a story of excellence. By embracing the transformational power of music education, cognitive development is enhanced, and emotional intelligence is nurtured contributing significantly to the academic achievement of young learners.
This article was shared with Prittle Prattle News as an authored article.
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