Music is Key to a Child's Development

Music is Key to a Child's Development

Brain Research Shows Direct Connection Between Music Study and Cognitive
Growth


TORONTO, May 7, 2014 /PRNewswire/ - As parents seek to provide their children
with the best opportunities for development, neuroscience research has
been proving that music education fast-tracks speech and reading
skills, trains children to focus their attention for sustained periods,
and helps them to develop emotional intelligence, among many other
lifelong benefits.



The findings from a number of studies over the last decade were compiled
by The Royal Conservatory of Music in an article entitled "The Benefits
of Music Education: An Overview of Current Neuroscience Research." The document highlights compelling research insights into the
long-term value children gain through music training in reaching their
full potential.



"Music, as we know, is one of the most powerful means available to
further human development and build great communities and societies.
Neuroscience research also now shows us that music education is a very
powerful tool for attaining a child's full intellectual, social and
creative potential," said Dr. Peter Simon, President and CEO, The Royal
Conservatory of Music.



Among the benefits of music education: it increases IQ and working
memory, promotes better information processing and motor coordination,
and helps to create stronger neural connections in the brain which
contribute to improved structure and function through a process called
neuroplasticity. Music training also brings children long-term health
benefits, as it has been shown to delay the onset of dementia, and can
help to compensate for hearing loss later in life: studies show that
seniors with musical training are able to pick out sounds in noisy
environments even though they've suffered hearing loss.



"When we practice music, we're training our brains in skills relevant
not only to music, but also to many other important life activities.
For children, in particular, music study contributes to their cognitive
development and can provide lifelong benefits in health and
resilience," said Dr. Sean Hutchins, Director of Research at The Royal
Conservatory.



The use of technologies such as functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging
(fMRI) and electroencephalography (EEG) have given neuroscience
researchers a better understanding of exactly what happens inside the
brain when it processes music, and how this activity contributes to
better learning and functioning. The research is showing that learning
to play an instrument or sing leads to changes in the brain that
promote cognitive growth.



More than 200 neuroscientists around the world are involved in
researching the effects of music study on brain function and
structure. Many of the leaders in the field are based in Canada, with
clusters of research in Montreal, Hamilton and Toronto. The Royal
Conservatory's Dr. Hutchins is considered to be a world expert in the
study of vocal perception and production. The Conservatory's research
article can be found at https://www.rcmusic.ca/resources.


The Royal Conservatory of Music is one of the largest and most respected music and arts education
institutions in the world. For more than 125 years The Conservatory has
been providing the definitive standard of excellence in music education
through its curriculum, assessment, performances, and teacher education
programs, making a powerful impact on the lives of millions of people
globally. The organization has helped to train a number of
internationally celebrated artists, including Glenn Gould, Oscar
Peterson, David Foster, Sarah McLachlan, Angela Hewitt, and Diana
Krall.



At its national base, The TELUS Centre for Performance and Learning, The
Royal Conservatory offers classes and lessons for people of all ages,
and presents and produces a wide range of concerts in its performance
spaces: Mazzoleni Concert Hall in historic Ihnatowycz Hall,
Conservatory Theatre, and the magnificent Koerner Hall. For more
information, please visit www.rcmusic.ca.



PDF available at: http://files.newswire.ca/1331/RCM.pdf



SOURCE Royal Conservatory Of Music

Royal Conservatory Of Music

CONTACT: MEDIA CONTACT: Anita Boudreau 
416.408.2824 x318
anita.boudreau@rcmusic.ca Nadine Saby
416.408.2824 x453
nadine.saby@rcmusic.ca


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