Can music lessons increase the performance of preschool children in IQ tests?
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Date
2014Author
Kaviani, H.
Mirbaha, H.
Pournaseh, M.
Sagan, Olivia
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Kaviani, H., Mirbaha, H., Pournaseh, M. & Sagan, O. (2014) Can music lessons increase the performance of preschool children in IQ tests?, Cognitive Processing, vol. 15, , pp. 77-84,
Abstract
The impact of music on human cognition has a
distinguished history as a research topic in psychology. The
focus of the present study was on investigating the effects
of music instruction on the cognitive development of preschool
children. From a sample of 154 preschool children
of Tehran kindergartens, 60 children aged between 5 and 6
were randomly assigned to two groups, one receiving
music lessons and the other (matched for sex, age and
mother's educational level) not taking part in any music
classes. Children were tested before the start of the course
of music lessons and at its end with 4 subtests of the
Tehran-Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale (TSB). The
experimental group participated in twelve 75-min weekly
music lessons. Statistical analysis showed significant IQ
increase in participants receiving music lessons, specifically
on the TSB verbal reasoning and short-term memory
subtests. The numerical and visual/abstract reasoning
abilities did not differ for the two groups after lessons.
These data support studies that found similar skills
enhancements in preschool children, despite vast
differences in the setting in which the instruction occurred.
These findings appear to be consistent with some neuroimaging
and neurological observations which are discussed
in the paper.