Benefits of music in verbal learning and memory

There are many scientific studies that, from neuroscience, reveal that introducing music in learning is very beneficial for children. That is why it is always present in classrooms from the earliest years, as a way of facilitating the acquisition of knowledge in a simple, fun and effective way. These are just some of those advantages:

Improves overall school performance:

Concentration, the ability to plan, the acquisition of vocabulary – children will perform better in all subjects if they work on music. Moreover, in the case of dyslexia, the little ones progress enormously. The reason is that the part of the brain that reacts to language reacts to music. The sense of rhythm and time take on a special role here.

Boost memory:

Music allows us to create memories and evoke past moments, something very necessary throughout life. Not surprisingly, music therapy gives excellent results in people with Alzheimer’s. It also helps improve our memory, an essential tool for academic life.

Promotes cognitive development:

With music, new neurons are generated, attention is enhanced, mathematical problems can be solved more easily, one is more creative and thinking speeds up.

Facilitates language learning:

There is no easier way to learn the English alphabet than with a song. Learning a language through music is a fun and very effective way to establish verbal structures and vocabulary.

Create a positive and joyful environment in the classroom:

Music and emotions are very connected, so using songs helps create a positive emotional context. Thus, children open themselves to learning with enthusiasm and optimism.

Strengthens self-esteem:

Acquiring new skills and mastering singing or an instrument boosts their self-confidence. Likewise, being listened to by others gives them a degree of acceptance that is essential for their self-esteem.

Links a wide variety of subjects:

In addition, if we add to the use of songs and music in the classroom the learning of an instrument, the benefits are multiplied, because children can learn many new things in a transversal way. 

Thus, from an instrument they can approach history and geography, to know their origin. Also, to mathematics, understanding the size and proportions of the instrument. In addition, physics, in relation to acoustics and sonority, plastic arts, translating it into drawings or presentations and many more activities that the teacher may suggest.

To this, we must add that they learn to listen, that their stress is relieved and that they acquire a hobby that can become their professional vocation. For all these reasons, music is very present in various schools from the 2-year-old classrooms and throughout the school year.

It has been studied that music has been shown to boost up verbal memory not only in those patients with memory deficits like Alzheimer’s disease but also it has been shown in conditions where memory is not primarily impaired like stroke.

Although, various studies have shown a positive effect of music on the retrieval and encoding of verbal stimuli, music has been suggested to hamper mnemonic performance by dividing attention.