Did You Know

Learn some fun facts about the benefits of the arts!

Scientific research has proven that high-quality Music and Dance instruction improves a child’s:

  • Reading ability – Reading skills are improved when children can tap a steady beat to different genres of music
  • Test scores- Regardless of socioeconomic status or school district, students (3rd graders) who participate in high-quality music programs score higher on reading and spelling tests.[1]
  • Verbal skills
  • Social emotional learning
  • Cognitive skills – A Stanford study shows that music engages areas of the brain which are involved with paying attention, making predictions and updating events in our memory.[2]
  • Empathy
  • Team-building- Children who study a musical instrument are more likely to excel in all of their studies, work better in teams, have enhanced critical thinking skills, stay in school, and pursue further education.[3]
  • Critical thinking
  • Attendance – Schools that have music programs have an attendance rate of 93.3% compared to 84.9% in schools without music programs.[4]
  • Public speaking
  • Concentration – Children with learning disabilities or dyslexia who tend to lose focus with more noise could benefit greatly from music lessons.[5]
  • Confidence
  • Motivation
  • Healthy choices – secondary students who participated in a music group at school reported the lowest lifetime and current use of all substances (tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drugs).[6]
  • Executive functioning
  • [1] Hille, Katrin, et al. “Associations between music education, intelligence, and spelling ability in elementary school.” Adv Cogn Psychol 7 (2011): 1–6. Web. Accessed February 24, 2015.
  • [2] Baker, Mitzi. “Music moves brain to pay attention, Stanford study finds.” Stanford Medicine. Accessed February 24, 2015.
  • [3] Arte Music Academy. “Statistical benefits of music in education.” Statistical-Benefits-Of-Music-In-Education. Accessed July 17, 2014.
  • [4] The National Association for Music Education. “Music Makes the Grade.” The National Association for Music Education. Accessed February 24, 2015.
  • [5] Arete Music Academy. “Statistical benefits of music in education.” Arete Music Academy. Accessed July 17, 2014.
  • [6] VH1: Save the Music. “The Benefits of Music Education.” VH1: Save the Music. Accessed February 24, 2015.