Two Randomized Trials Provide No Consistent Evidence for Nonmusical Cognitive Benefits of Brief Preschool Music Enrichment

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0082007
• Publication Date: 2013-12-11T21:26:15Z
• Authors: Samuel A. Mehr; Adena Schachner; Rachel C. Katz; Elizabeth S. Spelke
• Keywords: Music psychology

Young children regularly engage in musical activities, but the effects of early music education on children's cognitive development are unknown. While some studies have found associations between training childhood and later nonmusical outcomes, few randomized controlled trials (RCTs) been employed to assess causal lessons child cognition no clear pattern results has emerged. We conducted two RCTs with preschool investigating a brief series classes, as compared similar non-musical form arts instruction (visual Experiment 1) or no-treatment control (Experiment 2). Consistent typical enrichment programs, parents attended classes their children, participating variety developmentally appropriate activities. After six weeks class, we assessed skills four distinct areas which older arts-trained students reported excel: spatial-navigational reasoning, visual analysis, numerical discrimination, receptive vocabulary. initially that from class showed greater ability than did while analysis 1). However, partial replication attempt comparing failed confirm these findings 2), combined experiments were negative: overall, provided performed better those any assessment. Our underscore need for RCTs, suggest caution interpreting positive past instruction.