Benefits of Arts Education 3: Brain Development

Research continues to demonstrate that exposure to music at an early age aids brain development, including decision-making, focus, and impulse management.

The research, which included studies of 80 children ages six to seven, found that a child’s auditory systems develop faster with exposure to music.  The brain’s auditory system is essential to reading skills, language development and successful communication, according to an earlier study.

“Together these results demonstrate that community music programs can offset some of the negative consequences that low socioeconomic status can have on child development,” said Dr. Assal Habibi, the lead author and an assistant research professor of psychology.

Schools that de-emphasize or under-fund arts education are hurting their students', especially those in lower socioeconomic tiers, ability to develop skills critical to success in today's world. Schools that fund their arts programs open doors for their students that otherwise might be shut.