Correlation Between Music and IQ in Children

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1. Introduction
This project investigates the effect which the playing of a musical instrument – namely the drums – has on one’s intelligence and academic ability. A search of the literature reveals that studies of this kind have been conducted by other researchers in many parts of the world and has led to the conclusion that music is an extremely healthy activity to be involved in.
A study conducted on school children in America concluded that children who took voice or piano lessons had higher IQ’s at the end of the year than those who did not (Munsey, 2006). Dye (2012) reinforces this, stating that scientific research shows that studying music improves school performance. Gaser and Schlaug (2003) showed that musicians learn advanced motor and auditory skills from a young age through practicing their musical instruments. Furthermore, according to Woollaston (2013), researchers at St Andrews University concluded that the minds of musicians were quicker to react and able to find mistakes more easily than non-musicians. Indeed, three combined studies showed that musical training improves the function of certain parts of the brain and can even generate new processes in the brain (Brooks, 2013). Moreover, Alleyne states that new research suggests that regularly playing an instrument changes the shape and power of the brain (Alleyne, 2009).
Playing the drums and its link with IQ was specifically studied at the University of Toronto and children showed a significant improvement in IQ tests after taking drum lessons for a period of time (Weber, 2006). Moreover, Hochman states that drumming can help learners to concentrate, and grow academically (Hochman, n.d.).
Playing a musical instrument was thus shown to have a definite effect on th...

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- Munsey,C. 2006. American Psychological Association: Music lessons may boost IQ and grades. Date accessed 2014/04/05. http://www.apa.org/monitor/jun06/iq.aspx
- Schlaug, G; Norton, A; Overy, K & Winner, E. 2006. Wiley Online Library: Effects of Music Training of the Child’s Brain and Cognitive Development. Date accessed 2014/02/09. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1196/annals.1360.015/full
- Weber, J. 2006. Music Explorium: Drumming Makes You Smarter! Date accessed: 2014/02/18. http://www.musicexplorium.com/DrummingSmarter.php
- Woollaston, V. 2013. Mail Online: Forget brain training: Playing a musical instrument can sharpen your thoughts – and help ward off depression and dementia. Date accessed 2014/02/18. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2435013/Forget-brain-training-Playing-musical-instrument-sharpen-thoughts--help-ward-depression-dementia.html.

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