Does learning to play a musical instrument make your child stronger in academics?

“Children who study music from an early age can do better at a range of subjects such as maths, science, arts and language. The earlier a child ... comes to grips with music, the more the brain growth will be influenced. It sets them up for life.” - Dr Richard Letts, Music Council of Australia

We would all have encountered the advice on how we should encourage (*force*) our children to learn a musical instrument (preferably piano or violin) so that they will do well academically. Many research findings support this popular notion. For me, I find it strange because my thoughts are that the hours spent on practising the musical instrument could have been the hours spent on memorising the names of the muscles and bones of the human body! How is it then possible for the child to do well academically?

I have two hypotheses.

Hypothesis 1

Children who are strong in academics are the ones who are able to learn a musical instrument. In the first instance, all children are enrolled in learning a musical instrument, those who have difficulty learning would have dropped out, leaving behind those who study music. And when you assess those who study music, you’ll find that they are also strong in academics. This brings to the question is it because I know how to play the piano (cause) therefore I am good at math (effect) or I am good at math (cause) therefore I can play the piano (effect)?

Hypothesis 2

Children who play music acquire skills that are relevant to be strong in academics. They learn:

• That there are rewards from hard work, practice and discipline;
• To memorize by repetition and recognise patterns;
• Time management.

Some children as young as 5 years old may have already experienced their first graded music exam, hence they have early exposure and experience to exams.

These two arguments put forth demonstrate the linkage and indirect benefits of learning to play a musical instrument. However, I do believe there is a direct benefit that is children who learn music from a young age might have improved auditory senses which might aid in learning languages as well as be attentive in class.