Over the years, there has been a wealth of scientific research showing that studying music can yield neurological benefits in children. It’s been said that learning to play a musical instrument also enhances a child’s performance in standardized tests and proficiency exams such as the SATs. In one ten-year study, participating students were shown to have achieved better scores in the reading, math, and verbal portions of the test compared to their non-musical peers. Get your children started on the road to academic excellence by enrolling them in lessons at Hurst Music in Lexington, KY.

Here are a few examples of how skills acquired when learning an instrument can translate into improved results in standardized tests:

• Skills Integration: Learning music encourages listening skills, language acquisition, memory, and fine motor skills. Musical events simultaneously integrate these different skills, resulting in the development of multiple neural connections.
• Proportional Thinking: According to researchers, the part of a child’s brain that processes proportional thinking is enhanced by the study of the length of musical notes in proportion to others. This can allow students to better understand fractions and proportional math, which are needed to grasp more advanced mathematical concepts.
• Spatial Reasoning: Music lessons can also improve spatial-temporal reasoning, or the ability to see disassembled pieces and put them back together mentally. Math skills also rely heavily on this type of reasoning.
• Self-Discipline: Learning music involves a high level of self-discipline, a trait crucial to academic achievement. It also develops an attitude of “practice makes better” in your child, which will also benefit them later in life.

Music lessons do more than teach your child to create and play tunes; they provide a multidimensional experience that enhances various personality facets. Sign your child up for music lessons today by calling Hurst Music at (859) 335-0500 and visit their website to see their other services such as band rentals and band instrument repair.