Please don’t stop the music: A meta-analysis of the cognitive and academic benefits of instrumental musical training in childhood and adolescence

The meta-analysis investigates how learning to play musical instruments influences cognitive abilities and academic performance in children and adolescents. Analyzing 34 studies with 5,998 participants, it found small but significant improvements in areas like memory, executive function, and academic outcomes (effect size g = 0.26). However, children self-selecting musical training already had slight cognitive advantages. The results suggest both innate talent and training shape benefits. While promising, inconsistent study designs and short training durations limit the conclusions. The research highlights the cognitive and academic potential of sustained, structured musical training, suggesting a meaningful but modest role in development.

Engaging children in regular, structured musical training may boost cognitive abilities and academic skills. Encourage consistent, long-term participation in learning instruments, as benefits seem linked to effortful, sustained practice. However, improvements are modest and vary by individual traits like pre-existing abilities. Given mixed study designs and small effect sizes, parents and educators should supplement musical training with other proven educational strategies to ensure well-rounded cognitive and academic development.