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The impact of music education on cognitive development and academic achievement in adolescents

  • May 2023
Authors:
Ugwu Jovita Nnenna at Kampala International University (KIU)
Ugwu Jovita Nnenna
Kiu Publication Extension at Kampala International University (KIU)
Kiu Publication Extension
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Abstract

Music education has long been recognized for its benefits to individuals of all ages. Recent studies have focused on the positive impact of music education on cognitive development and academic achievement in adolescents. This article aims to explore the positive effects that music education can have on adolescents' cognitive abilities and academic performance. Studies have shown that music education enhances cognitive abilities such as memory, attention, and spatial reasoning. Music education also improves academic performance, particularly in reading and mathematical skills. The cognitive skills acquired through music education are transferable to other areas of academic performance, resulting in an overall improvement in academic achievement. Given the significant benefits of music education, it is essential to provide music education in schools to enhance cognitive abilities and academic performance in adolescents.
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http://www.inosr.net/inosr-arts-and-humanities/
Ugwu
INOSR ARTS AND HUMANITIES 9(1): 16-19, 2023
16
©INOSR PUBLICATIONS
International Network Organization for Scientific Research ISSN: 2705-1676
The impact of music education on cognitive development and academic
achievement in adolescents
Ugwu Jovita Nnenna
Department of Publication and Extension Kampala International University Uganda
ABSTRACT
Music education has long been recognized for its benefits to individuals of all ages. Recent
studies have focused on the positive impact of music education on cognitive development
and academic achievement in adolescents. This article aims to explore the positive effects
that music education can have on adolescents' cognitive abilities and academic
performance. Studies have shown that music education enhances cognitive abilities such as
memory, attention, and spatial reasoning. Music education also improves academic
performance, particularly in reading and mathematical skills. The cognitive skills acquired
through music education are transferable to other areas of academic performance,
resulting in an overall improvement in academic achievement. Given the significant
benefits of music education, it is essential to provide music education in schools to
enhance cognitive abilities and academic performance in adolescents.
Keywords: Music education, cognitive development, academic achievement, adolescents,
memory, attention, spatial reasoning, reading skills, mathematical skills, study habits.
INTRODUCTION
Music education has been recognized for
its numerous benefits, including
improved social and emotional
development, creativity, and cultural
appreciation. In recent years, researchers
have focused on the positive impact of
music education on cognitive
development and academic achievement
in adolescents. Studies have shown that
music education can enhance cognitive
abilities such as memory, attention, and
spatial reasoning. Music education also
improves academic performance,
particularly in reading and mathematical
skills. The cognitive skills acquired
through music education are transferable
to other areas of academic performance.
Music education: The process of teaching
and learning music in a formal or
informal setting. Cognitive development:
The process of acquiring and improving
cognitive skills, such as memory,
attention, and spatial reasoning.
Academic achievement: The level of
success attained in academic pursuits,
such as reading and mathematical skills.
Adolescents: Individuals in the age range
of 10-19 years. Memory: The ability to
store, retain and retrieve information.
Attention: The ability to focus and sustain
attention on a task. Spatial reasoning: The
ability to understand and manipulate
visual images in one's mind. Reading
skills: The ability to decode, comprehend
and interpret written language.
Mathematical skills: The ability to
understand and apply mathematical
concepts and principles. Study habits:
Behaviors and practices that contribute to
effective learning and academic success
[1-5].
Music education has long been known to
offer numerous benefits to individuals of
all ages. However, in recent years,
researchers have focused on the impact of
music education on cognitive
development and academic achievement
in adolescents. This article aims to
explore the positive effects that music
education can have on adolescents'
cognitive abilities and academic
performance [6][7].
Cognitive Development: Music education
has been found to enhance cognitive
http://www.inosr.net/inosr-arts-and-humanities/
Ugwu
INOSR ARTS AND HUMANITIES 9(1): 16-19, 2023
17
abilities in adolescents. Learning to play
an instrument or sing involves various
cognitive processes such as memory,
attention, and spatial reasoning.
According to a study conducted by [4]
music training enhances verbal memory,
spatial-temporal skills, and executive
functioning in adolescents. This means
that music education not only improves
musical abilities but also cognitive
abilities that are transferable to other
areas of academic performance [8-12].
One possible reason for the transferability
of cognitive skills is that learning to play
a musical instrument requires constant
practice, which can improve attention and
working memory. For example, playing an
instrument requires the musician to
remember how to play the notes while
simultaneously coordinating the
movements of their fingers. This practice
can lead to improvements in attention
and working memory, which are
important cognitive skills needed for
academic success.
Academic Achievement: In addition to
enhancing cognitive abilities, music
education has been found to improve
academic achievement in adolescents.
Studies have found a significant positive
correlation between music education and
academic achievement in areas such as
reading and mathematics [1][7][10]
Reading Skills: According to a study by [3]
music education has a positive effect on
reading skills, particularly phonological
awareness and reading comprehension in
adolescents. Learning music requires
reading musical notes and playing
instruments, which enhances reading
skills. Additionally, music education
requires constant practice, which
improves study habits, resulting in better
academic achievement [13][14-18].
Mathematical Skills: Music education has
also been found to enhance mathematical
skills in adolescents. According to a study
conducted by [2], music training has a
positive effect on spatial-temporal skills,
which are related to mathematical skills.
Learning music requires understanding
rhythm, beats, and timing, which
enhances mathematical skills in
adolescents. Additionally, music training
involves the use of fractions and ratios,
which are fundamental concepts in
mathematics [14-22].
Social and Emotional Development: Music
education has also been found to have
positive effects on social and emotional
development in adolescents. According to
a study conducted by [4] group music
training enhances children's prosocial
skills, such as cooperation and empathy.
Learning to play music with others
requires cooperation and communication,
which can enhance social skills in
adolescents [23-27].
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, music education has a
positive impact on cognitive development
and academic achievement in
adolescents. The cognitive skills acquired
through music education are transferable
to other areas of academic performance,
resulting in an overall improvement in
academic achievement. Furthermore,
music education enhances reading,
mathematical, and social skills in
adolescents. Given the significant benefits
of music education, it is essential to
provide music education in schools to
enhance cognitive abilities and academic
performance in adolescents.
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