Music lessons can improve memory and learning ability in young children because it encourages different patterns of brain development. Or at least that's what a bunch of Canadian scientists reckon. They compared children aged between four and six who take part in music lessons with those who don't and found that the musical group did better in a specially developed test of memory, literacy and maths ability. Researchers also noticed differences in brain responses between the musical and non-musical kids.
Commenting on his work, lead researcher Professor Laurel Trainor told reporters: "This is the first study to show that brain responses in young, musically trained and untrained children change differently over the course of a year. It suggests that musical training is having an effect on how the brain gets wired for general cognitive functioning related to memory and attention".
One of Trainor's colleagues, Dr Takako Fujioka, of the Baycrest's Rotman Research Institute, added: "It is clear that music is good for children's cognitive development and that music should be part of the pre-school and primary school curriculum."
Given that this story comes from the latest in a number of articles from BBC Online's health team that links music training to better health or mental abilities (in the last year they've also published articles called 'Music aids the healing process', 'Music can reduce chronic pain' and 'Music training 'good for heart') I think I ought to resume my guitar lessons, even though the four chords I learned last time round have worked well for me to date.