10 Facts about Music Education

Kids Music Day -  10 Facts about Music Education


In my last post, I told you a bit about the overall benefits that music can have on a child, in particular with the development of their brain. So now that you are aware of the benefits, I would like to focus more on why we need music education in schools and how teaching music to children can improve their learning.


  1. Children who study music tend to have larger vocabularies and more advanced reading skills than their peers who do not participate in music lessons


  1. Children with learning disabilities or dyslexia who tend to lost focus with more noise could benefit greatly from music lessons


  1. Music programs are constantly in danger of being cut from shrinking school budgets even though they’re proven to improve academics


  1. 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


  1. In the past, secondary students who participated in a music group reported the lowest lifetime and current use of all substances (tobacco, alcohol and illicit drugs)


  1. Schools with music programmes have an estimated 90.2% graduation rate and 93.9% attendance rate compared to schools without music education, which average 72.9% graduation and 84.9% attendance


  1. Regardless of socioeconomic status or school district, students who participate in high-quality music programmes score higher on reading and spelling tests


  1. 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


  1. Much like expert technical skills, mastery in arts and humanities is closely correlated to a greater understanding of language components


  1. Young children who take music lessons show different brain development and improved memory over the course of a year, compared to children who do not receive musical training


So how can you help?


There are so many campaigns online that look at music and education. I urge you to take part and sign their petition or advertise their cause. Here’s a list of some of the campaigns that you can join in with:


  • Fame a Friend’s Unique Talents to help land their Dream School:

    • THE PROBLEM: College admissions process relies heavily on test scores rather than the value of an applicant’s diverse skills

    • THE SOLUTION: Provide supplemental materials to colleges so they see you friend as more than just a score in order to provide colleges with a holistic view of a potential student

    • https://www.dosomething.org/us/campaigns/more-score

  • Play a Pop Up Concert in School to Show Music Ed is Important:

    • THE PROBLEM: Music programmes are being cut from school budgets 

    • THE SOLUTION: Showing that music programmes are important to students will pressure school boards to maintain funding. The more pressure you apply, the harder it’ll be for the school board to ignore

    • https://www.dosomething.org/us/campaigns/battle-bands

  • Create and Share Art to Demand Funding for School Art Programmes:

    • THE PROBLEM: Almost half of schools have made major cuts to their arts programmes over the past decade

    • THE SOLUTION: Plaster art all over the school to educate decision makers about the benefits of arts education. Send music videos explaining the importance of music to teachers for them to show to their form class.

    • https://www.dosomething.org/us/campaigns/make-art-save-art

  • Plan a Musical Walk Out to Defend Music Programme Funding at School:

    • THE PROBLEM: Music programmes are being cut from school budgets

    • THE SOLUTION: Showing you school board that music programmes are important and needed will apply pressure helping to ensure that funding is maintained. Fight for your music lessons by taking up your instruments during class

    • https://www.dosomething.org/us/campaigns/music-march-out


These are just 4 simple suggestions on how you can help make a change and encourage music education in schools. It is up to the general public and people who love music to keep the arts alive especially in the current situation where the effects of COVID-19 are massively impacting the art community. 


Post below any other facts about music and education that you think others would be interested in hearing about or post any other links to petitions/campaigns which can help to keep the arts alive! This is an important matter to many and a matter that many people overlook but we can't let them! Fight for the arts and fight for Music Education.

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