Music Lessons Enhance Non-Cognitive Skills

SUMMARY

Existing Knowledge:

• Music training develops cognitive abilities such as pitch discrimination, memory, and auditory processing.

• Prior research highlights the role of music in promoting socio-emotional skills like empathy and self-regulation.

• Group music lessons foster prosocial behaviors and social interaction among young learners.

New Insights from this Study:

• Over 91% of music teachers acknowledged that music lessons contribute to extra-musical, non-cognitive skills in children.

• Skills like collaboration, task performance, and engaging with others were the most frequently identified benefits.

• Teachers with more years of experience were more likely to recognize these extra-musical benefits, suggesting awareness grows with professional development.

Putting Research into Practice:

1. Designing Comprehensive Music Programs:

• Integrate activities focused on teamwork and collaboration in music lessons.

• Incorporate structured opportunities for practicing and achieving goals to develop task performance skills.

• Use group lessons to emphasize peer interaction and engagement.

2. Professional Development for Teachers:

• Train music educators to recognize and promote non-cognitive skills alongside musical abilities.

• Develop workshops to share best practices in fostering collaboration and emotional regulation through music.

• Encourage experienced teachers to mentor novices in recognizing the broader impacts of music education.

3. Policy and Community Implications:

• Advocate for music education as a tool for holistic child development in schools and communities.

• Create resources for parents to understand the broader benefits of music lessons.

• Develop rubrics to assess both musical and non-cognitive growth in children.

Reference:
Kawase, S., & Kitabayashi, Y. (2023). Perspectives of teachers at music schools toward children’s extra-musical abilities promoted by music lessons. Frontiers in Psychology, 14, 1190731. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1190731

Cite/Refer this summary: Ross, E. M. and Malar, D. B. J. (2025). Music Lessons Enhance Non-Cognitive Skills. Excellent Educator, 2 (3), 5.