They say music is the language of the soul. And while that may be true, the connection between music and language is actually much deeper than that. In fact, according to the experts, music plays a significant role in improving the learning process. That’s why music is often used in the classroom as a learning aid. But did you know that this can be especially true when learning language? Music has deep connections to language development because sound and how the brain processes it are vital in both.
Sounds and Language
The first thing newborn babies experience and recognize in their surroundings is sound. It may take them a few years to start speaking, but what they eventually say is based on all the sounds they’ve experienced since birth.
According to Rice University’s professor of theory and music composition, Anthony Brandt, newborns can “dissect” sound aspects, including pitch, timbre, and rhythm. That means exposing them to sounds like music from an early age can help them learn the art of language more effectively.
Language Development and Music
In the research paper, Music and Early Language Acquisition, the researcher argues that spoken language is a type of music. From this concept, they try to prove that music profoundly impacts language development. Essentially, they argue that babies learn to speak effectively when exposed to music and comprehend it early.
Beyond theories and hypotheses, several published papers focus on the relationship between music and language development. And they all offer the same results. In fact, it’s even been found that children as young as five years old who attend piano lessons have improved speech perception.
Language Development Through Music
When it comes to language, children learn most of the nuts and bolts in school. The early stages of language development indeed start at home, but it’s only in school that children learn proper form and more sophisticated language begins to take shape. However, this traditional language teaching method falls short for far too many children.
For that reason, many teachers are now turning to music to help them. Here’s how.
Reading Comprehension
No one can dispute that reading is an important part of language development. One of the key reasons for this is that it gives children even more exposure to language, and as a result, their skills can improve.
Music, surprisingly, has been linked to stronger reading comprehension skills. Several studies have shown that the rhythms in music are basically the same as those in speech and language. Thus, education in music helps students further improve their reading comprehension skills.
Recognizing Verbal Cues
Verbal cues are a fundamental element of language. We all use them every day! What’s more, it appears all languages are basically the same when it comes to these verbal cues. It turns out that these prompts and cues are effectively conveyed in every language and, indeed, every form of communication.
According to researchers, the area of the brain responsible for language skills and recognizing these verbal cues is closely connected to the part of the brain that processes music comprehension.
In music, these cues are easily identified. And thanks to the close connection between these parts of the brain, music can help children strengthen their ability to recognize cues in speech.
Vocabulary and Repetitive Patterns
Another key element of language development is vocabulary. Expanding a child’s vocabulary can be done in many ways. That said, music has been found to be an effective way for kids to learn new words and expand their vocabulary knowledge.
Each new song they’ experience is a creative output for the artists. And every tack offers new words for children to learn and add to their vocabulary. Additionally, the more new music they hear, the better their chance of learning new words. Furthermore, the repetitive nature of music helps children individualize and memorize each word.
How Sounds Go Together
When you break it down, language is just about putting sounds together. And so is music! That means music can help children learn how the sounds of language go together.
Although simply listening to music can help, experts agree that learning to play music is the best way! A study conducted with student participants found that more musically inclined kids (many of whom had taken guitar or drum lessons) tended to have better language skills.
Sound and Emotion
Another area where music aids in language development is how sounds are processed for emotion. Neuroscientists suggest that music training helps to enhance sensitivity to speech sounds. In this study, researchers found that musicians are “more effective at utilizing” patterns, both in speech and music. This is because learning to play an instrument “engages” the student’s ability to “extract” patterns in the much, and thus, in speech.
And that is because our sense of hearing is built on all our previous experience with sounds. Therefore, experience in music better primes musicians to understand a wider range of sounds and how they fit into language.
Final Thoughts on Music & Language Development
This all points to one conclusion: music does, in fact, help language development. Science has proven it! That means the only thing left to do is get your children involved in music! It’s true that just listening to music offers a ton of benefits, even beyond language skills. But if you want your children to reap as many benefits as possible, they should start studying music today.
Want to get in on these incredible benefits? It’s never too late! Start your musical journey with the professionals at The Music Studio! We offer programs and classes for all ages and all skill levels. Check them all out and give us a call today!
