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Research Paper Rough Draft

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Letso Okoroafor
Greene
Capstone
18 November 2016
Musics Role In Child Education & Development
I. Introduction
Music is defined as an art of sound in time that expresses ideas and emotions in
significant forms through the elements of rhythm, melody, harmony, and color (Collins). This
particular art has repeatedly proved to provide individuals with many benefits, thus positively
impacting many aspects of ones life. Music education consists of the understanding and learning
of music. It includes choir, band, orchestra, and could also include other musical extracurriculars.
This research paper focuses on how music education affects child education and development
because of the fact that the childhood stage is the most dynamic stage of an individuals life. The
early days of ones life serve as the most significant in the sense that those early years shape the
rest of ones life. This factor proves that music education should be implemented into a childs
education in order for a child to receive all of the possible benefits. Introduction and participation
in music education impacts child literacy, enhances significant life skills, and promotes healthy
learning environments.
II. Music & Its Ability to Teach Life Skills
Music education, a subject affiliated with the teaching and learning of music, includes
musical extracurriculars like choir, band, and orchestra. This field also consists of the

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incorporation of music in any class curriculum, like math, science, and social studies. Active
participation in music education leads to positive impacts on the development of children in the
sense that engaging with different musical activities over long periods of time [causes]
permanent changes [to] occur in the brain (Hallam). Constant participation in an activity
influence[s] the extent to which our developed skills are able to transfer to other activities
(Hallam). For the reason that children dedicate themselves to different activities all the time, any
doubts that these activities can include musical activities should cease to exist. Music education
allows for children to acquire and strengthen important skills which includes communication
skills, creativity, and self-discipline.
Participation in a type of music education program in primary school stimulates a
students social skills, thus providing them with the capability of effectively interacting with
other individuals. When educators include music lessons into a childs regular school day, they
sometimes structure them to where the students work together instead of alone. This social
theme centers on children as active participants in their learning in collaboration with adults and
other children [in the sense that] each participant influences the other (Samuelsson).
Collaborative learning emphasizes the idea that other children positively impact ones interest of
music education. For example, one study showed that students who participated in musical
activities talked more with parents and teachers, and that their parents were more likely to talk
with friends parents (Hallam). This study suggests that the social benefits related to music
education could possibly result in higher self-esteem within children. Research conducted in
Switzerland showed that an increase in the amount of musical activities led to an increase in
social cohesion within class, greater self-reliance, better social adjustment and more positive

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attitudes in the children (Hallam). When the teachers decided to incorporate music into their
students curriculum, happiness was enhanced in most students, which resulted in them
showcasing more joy when learning in the classroom. Susan Hallam, author of The Power of
Music, conducted research on children who were involved in musical activities and discovered
that some students referred to the sheer fun and therapeutic nature of music, how it gave them
confidence to perform in front of others, how it facilitated group work and how it enabled them
to learn to express themselves (Hallam). Hallam and her research partner, Tolfree also reported
increased confidence and the provision of an alternative means of communicating feelings for
children aged 917 in relation to playing an instrument. Hallams research justified the
importance of music education when it comes to a childs ability to express feelings and
thoughts. The Toronto Childrens Chorus, a choir program for children in Toronto, proved to be
very successful in the way it improves a childs social skills. The choir program received many
letters from former members who discussed their experience. One former student, named Laura
Pedersen, stated that she would not have the social skills she acquired if it werent for her
involvement in the program (Bartle). Active participation within a music program or musical
extracurricular increases the possibility of improvements in a childs ability to socialize, thus
strengthening how they can apply the learned social skills in other aspects of life.
Involvement in a music education program of some sort activates an elementary students
ability to use creativity which can lead to the enhancement of learning experiences. One
approach that is becoming more common within classroom environments is the idea of a student
directing their own learning. Providing elementary school students with the power to take charge
creates an environment in which they enjoy more. It is important for music teachers to listen to

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children and converse with them so that their ideas and interests can guide our selection of songs,
instruments, recordings, and other music-making resources (Niland). Due to the fact that
children are creative and masters of play, children must be challenged by the teacher in order
to clarify and to develop their thoughts (Samuelsson). Music educators must introduce distinct
concepts when it comes to childrens learning of the arts. If initiated in an effective way, music
education could lead to a child showcasing more creativity. A study was conducted on first
graders who participated in 30 minutes of music instruction everyday for an entire year. The first
graders who participated exhibited significant increases in creativity and in perceptual motor
skills compared with controls (Hallam). Another similar study was conducted on preschoolers
who participated in singing and musical group play twice weekly (Hallam). The preschoolers
scored higher.on creativity, had higher levels of abstraction, and showed greater creativity in
improvised puppet play (Hallam). These positive correlations suggest that music activities must
showcase elements of creativity in order for a childs creativity to be enhanced. Amanda Niland,
author of The Power of Musical Play used certain techniques to enhance her students
creativity. Niland wrote a song based off of cars because of how her students showcased a
particular interest in them. Together, the students sang the song while simultaneously using their
imaginations to vocalize sounds associated with cars. The responses from all of her students
were unique in their own ways and always enthusiastic. Niland allowed her students to playfully
respond to the song and as a result they have shown over time their developing awareness and
skills in relation to beat, tempo, form, and pitch (Niland). This engaging musical activity
provided her students with the freedom to direct and build their own curriculum (Niland).
Nilands approach to educating her students included musical activities which led to her students

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using their imaginations way more. With that being said, when children are given the opportunity
to participate in a variety of activities, they enjoy the learning experience much more and
ultimately, learn a lot more.
Music education programs require students to understand distinct concepts which results
in them acquiring valuable concentration skills. Learning about music is not an easy task, but the
process of learning music can improve a childs self-discipline and attentional skills..
(Corrigall). Music education requires students to utilize many distinct skills. Examples of tasks
students must learn include learning how to focus on and discriminate subtle differences in
pitch, rhythm, loudness, and timbre (Corrigall). These tasks require strong concentration skills,
and with the curriculum music education provides, it is very likely for a childs concentration
skills to improve. The task of understanding music is sometimes more difficult for some
students. However, music lessons help children to become efficient learners who are able to
focus better and concentrate for longer periods of time (Corrigall). An improved attention span
benefits a child in multiple ways that go beyond what they will learn in a classroom setting.
Music lessons also result in children developing critical thinking skills. Because of the fact that
understanding music requires a lot of concentration, it is possible that children gain these
significant skills in the process. It has also been suggested that music training teaches children
motivational and concentration skills that help them focus for long periods of time, thus
potentially helping them to persevere at mastering reading, which is another benefit to a childs
education. Former students from the Toronto Childrens Chorus were also able to speak on how
the choir program impacted their concentration skills. One student named Erica Huang admitted
that in addition to becoming more musically experienced, a great amount of discipline and

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maturity have been applied and developed in her life. Another former choir student named
Natalia Lobach stated that the choir program taught her the importance of organization and
working hard. With the positive impacts music education can cause, elementary school teachers
should strive to incorporate music into curriculum because of the fact that not every student
associates with a musical extracurricular. These actions provide the young students with the
possibility of improving their concentration skills which ultimately positively impact their
education.
When children immerse themselves in music education or musical extracurriculars, they
improve significant life skills which they can apply to their lives. Primary school students could
increase their abilities to socialize as a result of music collaboratively facilitating the
development of friendships with like-minded individuals (Hallam). A child is also given a
chance to use his/her creativity and imaginative skills. Gaining critical thinking skills and
improved attention spans is another way children benefit. Music acts as a great attribution to
childrens education in the sense that it strengthens their learning experience and makes learning
music something they enjoy.
III. How Music Impacts Child Literacy
When a childs education includes music, their development phase is enhanced because
of the multiple benefits music education can cause. A positive correlation has been determined
between music and child literacy. Literacy is a significant feature of a childs education in the
sense that a childs literacy skills determine their level of communication and individual
well-being. Because of this relationship, music education and musical extracurriculars are

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becoming more common for students in primary school. With that said, incorporating music into
an elementary students education can lead to enhancements in different literacy fields.
Primary school students, which include the grades of kindergarten to fifth, are more
likely to develop and improve skills in word recognition and vocabulary when musical activities
are conducted by educators. Cynthia Colwell, music education researcher and contributor to the
Journal of Music Therapy, conducted a study on three kindergarten classes regarding the kinds
of impacts a music program can lead to (Bolduc). A total of twenty-seven students participated in
the experiment and were divided into different groups (Bolduc). All of the students engaged in
the regular music program offered by their educators, and also participated in additional musical
training with assigned music therapists. Group 1 participated in a program during which they
sang stories (short songs representing a story), group 2 participated in a program during which
stories were traditionally read and sung, and group 3 participated in a program during which
stories were simply read (Bolduc). The students word recognition skills were tested every two
weeks with the use of storybooks. After studying the data and results, Colwell learned that
students in group one and two were able to comprehend the text much easier than the students in
group three. The reason is that as emergent readers hear, sing, discuss, play with, and write
songs, they are building important background knowledge that they will draw upon during later
reading and writing experiences (Smith). Musical activities allow students to gain deeper
understandings of words and text. Unlike the other two groups, educators read to the students in
group three. This resulted in them having a restricted learning environment due to the fact that
they werent able to direct their own learning. With that being said, music instruction can lead to

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improvements in vocabulary comprehension, which will lead to an enhancement in their level of

intelligence.
Elementary students who are active in musical activities or music programs are more
likely to have improvements in their spelling abilities, which is another benefit to their education.
Studies have shown that there is a positive correlation between musical students and spelling
skills. One study, which focused on third grade boys, studied the effects of playing an
instrument. The third graders were tested with an individually given test assessing reading
accuracy and reading speed for three word and two non-word reading subtests as well as spelling
performance (Hille). The instrument playing students appeared to score quite higher than the
students who do not play an instrument. The students who play an instrument proved to have
higher non-verbal IQ[s] and were better in formal spelling test[s] (Hille). The fact that there is a
positive correlation between the two suggests that children with particularly low reading and
spelling abilities benefit most from playing a musical instrument (Hille). Singing is another way
in which students spelling skills are positively impacted. It is an exciting way for students to
learn the different letter names and alphabet sounds, which are skills needed for spelling (Smith).
With this information at hand, it is proven that musical activities result in the enhancement of an
elementary students spelling abilities.
Musical activities have the potential to allow a child to utilize the information they learn
from music to develop improved reading skills. Corrigall and Trainor, authors and researchers of
Associations Between Length of Music Training and Reading Skills in Children, tested whether
the length of time children took music lessons was associated with word decoding and reading
comprehension skills in 6- to 9-year-old normal-achieving readers. Their studies revealed that a

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correlation between music and word decoding does not exist, but a correlation with reading
comprehension does (Corrigall). Learning music is a complex undertaking and requires a student
to utilize multiple skills at once, like differentiating changes in loudness, rhythm, and pitch
(Corrigall). This is why researchers were not surprised when they discover that there is a positive
relationship between music instruction and reading skills. Studies have shown that the length of
music training correlated significantly with age, tonal perception, reading comprehension, and
the age of onset of music training, and the correlation between length of music training and
full-scale IQ approached significance (Corrigall). The researchers came to the conclusion that
children involved in a musical activity have better reading comprehension skills as a result of
being able to concentrate for longer periods of time. Corrigall and Trainor determined that more
intelligent and harder working children are probably more likely to take music lessons in the first
place, but then those music lessons likely develop concentration and self-discipline skills even
further (Corrigall). Strong concentration and self-discipline skills are a couple of attributes a
student needs for reading comprehension. Music has the power to strengthen those important
capabilities and lead to positive impacts in reading apprehension.
Music has the ability to cause great effects on a childs literacy skills, which include
many different domains. Reading comprehension, spelling skills, and word recognition are only
a few of the literacy fields that could positively benefit from music instruction. Music education
can ultimately result in multiple benefits in the sense that music stimulates intellectual abilities
and contributes to the transfer of academic notions (Bolduc). With these positive impacts on
literacy, music will continue to play a significant role in the lives of many elementary school
students. For this reason, elementary school educators should strive to include music in their

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curriculums, while parents of elementary school students should consider placing their children
in musical extracurriculars.
IV. The Significance of the Environment in Music Education Programs
The environment in which a student is taught impacts the overall learning experience in
different ways. When it comes to music education programs, an enriching environment acts as an
important factor of a childs learning abilities. In order for music education to greatly impact a
childs education, certain environmental characteristics need to be put in place. A music
education program, which includes, but is not limited to, choir, band, and orchestra, should adopt
an environment that promotes physical and mental health, appreciates global diversity, and takes
advantage of modern technology.
The use of modern technology within a primary school classroom provides students with
opportunities that could lead to educational benefits. Elementary school educators should utilize
music technology due to the fact that it has the potential to enable pupils at any level of interest
or ability to participate in creative and imaginative activities, and to work with a much wider
range of sounds and resources for recording and sound processing (Comber). Bilinda Soto, who
is the music educator at Colony Meadows Elementary School located in Houston, Texas, utilizes
modern technology to teach her students music. Soto has been teaching primary school music
education for many years and continually works with the same students every school year. Due
to the fact that she integrates technology into her curriculum, she determined that her students
retain more information taught. This is due to the fact that music interactive sites are designed to
engage students more. San Francisco Kids and Incredibox are a couple of interactive sites that
elementary school educators can use to enhance the classroom environments. This positive

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correlation between technological use and attainment suggests that students who participate in
music education do better than their peers on many measures of academic achievement
(Hallam). A study focused on 4739 elementary and middle-school students in four regions of
the USA and revealed a strong relationship between elementary (3rd and 4th grade) students
academic achievement as measured by test scores and their participation in high-quality music
programmes (Hallam). These high quality music programs positively impact a childs capability
of understanding material because of the great amount of engaging activities. If all primary
school music educators took advantage of todays modern technology, all students would be
provided with the benefits of interactive technology.
When elementary students are introduced to a wide array of music, there is a greater
possibility that they will value global diversity. Multicultural music studies can impact children
in the sense that an early exposure to a large array of musical sounds can result in students
becoming receptive to all types of musical expression (Anderson). This is due to the fact that
children become aware of the extraordinary differences in culture and how all characteristics
contribute to every individual culture. Doug Goodkin, an educator at The San Francisco School,
stated that his students participate in a wide variety of activities that reflect various cultures.
Some of the activities that the students enjoy include dances from Israel, Japan, Bulgaria,
Appalachia, and Brazil, songs (in the indigenous languages) from India, Ghana, Chile,
Trinidad, and Scotland and games from Mexico, the Georgia Sea Islands, and the British Isles
(Goodkin). These activities allow a child to develop deeper understandings in a way that is more
hands-on and interactive. A multicultural approach to music education is especially significant in
the United States because of the fact that the country is extremely diverse. As a matter of fact,

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the United States has a population of approximately 258 million people, which includes 50
million Blacks, Hispanics, and Asians (Anderson). More and more Americans are becoming
aware of the cultural diversity residing in the United States. As a result of this increased
awareness, more teachers, which includes music educators, are aiming to incorporate
multicultural perspectives in all curriculum. Students become more aware of diversity between
different cultures when teachers take the initiative to teach music from a multicultural approach
(Anderson). Students can benefit in the long-term from being globally aware because they would
be more knowledgeable and appreciative of cultures that arent their own. Music can also teach a
child more about their own culture which can result in them recognizing their true identities
(Dillon). Elementary school students who are part of a multicultural music education have the
benefit of being more globally aware.
Music education enhances physical and mental health within children, thus positively
impacting their well-being. A study was conducted on choir boys aged 1014 singing in a major
city centre parish church (Hallam). Continuous observations showed that the boys showed
deep appreciation of and engagement with music and exhibited many features of personal
well-being (Hallam). Their experiences with the choir resulted in them showcasing more
happiness and comfort. Studies conducted on young adults concluded that there are a range of
health and well-being benefits from participating in a choir and the same researchers assert that
there is no reason to suppose that these benefits would not apply to children (Hallam). Some of
the health benefits include, but is not limited to, physical relaxation and release of physical
tension; emotional release and reduction of feelings of stress; a sense of happiness, positive
mood, joy, elation, and feeling high; a sense of greater personal etc. (Hallam). Music

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education should be considered by parents of young children due to the fact that it enhances a
childs health while simultaneously teaching them the fundamentals of music. Musical activities
have the potential to positively impact a childs well-being if the educator works to promote a
healthy environment. Students from the Toronto Childrens Chorus spoke on the physical
benefits they acquired as a result of their involvement in the choir. Former student Hilary
Cameron stated that her participation in the chorus program taught her the importance of healthy
habits which included healthy eating and sleeping (Bartle). Hilary also mentioned how she will
carry these skills to her time at college because she learned the significance of a healthy lifestyle
as a result of the healthy environment that was promoted by her choir teachers.
With an enriching environment, music education can lead to multiple benefits for
elementary school children. In order for a musical extracurricular to result in an enhanced
learning experience, healthy habits need to be promoted, modern technology needs to be
embraced, and global awareness must be addressed. In order for all elementary school children to
experience effective environments, these factors need to be enforced by elementary school
educators.
V. Conclusion
For the reason that music education results in all of these benefits, music education
should be implemented and promoted by all music educators and parents of elementary school
students. The fact that a rich environment could lead to an enhancement of musical learning
experiences is very important. The possibility of a childs social skills, concentration skills, and
creativity skills improving should also convince parents to implement music education in their
childs life. Another significant impact music can lead to includes a childs literacy abilities. The

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significance of music education has repeatedly proven to be beneficial to children and as a result
should be advocated by current elementary school music educators and elementary school
parents.

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Works Cited
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perspective." Multicultural perspectives in music education (1989): 1-7.
Bartle, Jean Ashworth. Sound advice: Becoming a better children's choir conductor. Oxford
University Press, 2003.
Bolduc, Jonathan. "The Effects of Music Instruction on Emergent Literacy Capacities among
Preschool Children: A Literature Review." Early Childhood Research & Practice 10.1
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition. HarperCollins Publishers.
18 Nov. 2016. <Dictionary.com http://www.dictionary.com/browse/music>.
Comber, Chris, David J. Hargreaves, and Ann Colley. "Girls, boys and technology in music
education." British Journal of Music Education 10.02 (1993): 123-134.
Corrigall, Kathleen A., and Laurel J. Trainor. "Associations between length of music training
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Dillon, Steve. Music, meaning and transformation: Meaningful music making for life.
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Goodkin, Doug. "Diverse approaches to multicultural music." Music Educators Journal 81.1
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Hallam, Susan. "The power of music: Its impact on the intellectual, social and personal
Development of children and young people." International Journal of Music
Education 28.3 (2010).

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Hille, Katrin, et al. "Associations between music education, intelligence, and spelling ability in
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