Tom Jacobs at Pacific Standard reports on new research into the benefits of music for children.
“Music education produces myriad benefits,” he writes, “strengthening kids’ abilities in reading, math, and verbal intelligence. New British research suggests it may also teach something less tangible, but arguably just as important: The ability to empathize.
“In a year-long program focused on group music-making, 8- to 11-year old children became markedly more compassionate, according to a just-published study from the University of Cambridge. The finding suggests kids who make music together aren’t just having fun: they’re absorbing a key component of emotional intelligence.”
The research team was led by Tal-Chen Rabinowitch of the university’s Centre for Music and Science. Read more.
Photograph: Pete Pahham/Shutterstock
Suzanne's Mom's Blog 