Dr. Hind Louali: How Music Helps Students in School
When researchers considered factors that are known to influence achievement, such as gender or grade level or even handicraft participation and parent income, music was still a significant predictor of average grades.
That said, grade level and parent income were found to have higher correlations toward student achievement compared to music participation. However, when combined, music participation, grade level, and parent income lead to 43% of the variance or the size of the difference between groups. It was taken in the context of grades between students.
Dr. Hind Louali mentioned that another study did not find a significant difference, however, between music and non-music third-grade students when students were beginning musical training.
On the other hand, at all other grade levels, students who participated in music and who learned to play musical instruments got higher average grades than their non-music classmates.
The effect of learning music on academics
The findings of all these studies show us that the duration of musical training has a more pronounced and profound effect on student achievement in the realm of academics. It means that the longer students practice or play music, the stronger the impact will be on their grades in school.
Dr. Hind Louali also points out that participation in music has a significant correlation with higher academic performance for children in elementary school. It is found to be true even when other factors known to influence academic performance are considered.
Furthermore, there was no difference seen between students participating in music and students who were not participating in music in third grade. However, a difference was seen from fourth grade onward. Dr. Hind Louali explains that this finding may suggest greater benefit from sustained and long-term music involvement.
Differences between students who practice and play music and those who do not are seen across subjects. It suggests a correlation between music and general cognitive performance.
Dr. Hind Louali adds that this is an exciting emerging body of research mainly because it aims to identify and explain the many ways in which music is processed in the brain and the effects of this processing. It also explores how those processes relate to academic learning.
For more articles on education, music, art, and more from Dr. Hind Louali, visit this blog.
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