New Research Confirms That Music Lessons Make Our Children Smarter!

Sean McBride the OMS chairman today announced that the Ontario Music Society agrees with four universities studies and leading psychologists in Europe and the U.S. - music lessons actually make our children smarter and more productive in their adult lives, and suggest giving them as a gift instead of a toy that will soon be forgotten after the batteries die.

Sean McBride, the Chairman of the OMS cites numerous studies by universities and psycholinguists (all of which can be found at www.AMC-Music.org) that prove that children who include a regimen of music lessons at an early age (age 15 an under) soon develop better study habits and become more attentive at school as math and science grades improve dramatically. In fact, some research indicates that children who pursue music instruction at least once per week tend to have IQs that are 10-15 points higher than non-musical children in the same study groups, and 74% of the musical children went on to pursue college or university studies whereas only 57% of the non-musical children did the same. Psychologists believe this is due to the fact that reading music requires the same mental processes required to solve math and science problems, and music lessons “tune the mind” to worker quicker with a higher focus.

Music lessons also tend to calm and soothe one’s disposition and make children more patient and social. The owner of Judy’s Music School in Mississauga attests to all these benefits and more as she recently explained in an interview “I’ve been teaching for almost 20 years now and the benefits are obvious and many. Even hyperactive children are transformed in as little as five or six lessons, especially if they take a genuine interest in learning their instrument.” In this regard the OMS and Judy both emphasize that children must be allowed to select their own instrument because forcing them to play an instrument chosen by the parents, especially after age 6 or 7 can be counter-productive and easily create tensions and resentment in the household.

One other item of interest about music lessons that parents shouldn’t ignore… Sociologists from Cleveland State University proved in a 20 year case study that children who grow up learning and playing music have only a 6% incidence of juvenile delinquency associated with most teens. Researchers attribute this to the fact that young musicians tend to grow up in a different circle of friends than they would otherwise and the lure or gangs and peer pressure is easier for them to ignore.

How young should children be introduced to music lessons? The OMS says the younger the better but Judy qualifies that with a reminder that children under four years of age generally do not have an attention span long enough to be suitable for instruction, so she provides a free 15 minute evaluation for parents to determine if their kids are mentally ready to undertake music instruction. Her nationally - acclaimed KinderMusic program usually starts at 4 years of age but a handful of 3 year-olds have joined the group. This year Judy’s Music School sold over 75 gift certificates in the month of November alone and they come in 5, 10, and 25 lesson increments to accommodate most family budgets. Most music schools provide the musical instruments so you don’t have to buy one until you know you’re child is hooked. Generally if they go beyond ten lessons, they have a new hobby for life. So if you’re stuck for a last minute gift idea, what can be better than giving the gift of music?

So this year, when making your list for Santa, the OMS hopes you will consider Music Instruction in addition to the usual toys and clothes and years from now when your children are university-bound, you will be glad you did. Many but not all Music Schools offer Christmas gift certificates so call the OMS for a complete listing of those in the GTA that do at 1-800-975-0565. Next year you can sing your favorite Christmas carols while your youngster provides the music!