Music Boosts Good Grades

By Staff

Thursday, February 12, 2009, 12:18

Listening to music can boost your performance in academics, as revealed by a new study. Music lessons either in or out of school make a deep impact in enhancing reading and mathematics achievement in early childhood and adolescence.

Music participation and parents attending concerts with their children have positive impact on adolescents' academic performance, as declared by Darby E. Southgate, MA, and Vincent Roscigno, Ph.D., of The Ohio State University.

For the study the researchers analysed the effects of music in maths and reading performance for both elementary and high school students. It was found that music had positive influence on academic achievement, especially during the high school years. The study also stated that families with high socioeconomic status participate more in music than do families with lower socioeconomic status.

Other than SES, ethinicity was also a major factor. "This topic becomes an issue of equity at both the family and school levels," wrote the authors.

"This has major policy implications for federal, state, and local agencies, as well as knowledge that can help families allocate resources that are most beneficial to children," they added. AGENCIES