And we're not just talking about a future as a concert pianist. Cutietta says evidence that music aids math abilities is not as conclusive. However, a recent UC Irvine study may shed some light on how music can enhance math intelligence. Only the children learning to play the piano increased their spatial-temporal reasoning skills significantly, scoring 34 percent higher than the other students. Spatial-temporal reasoning, explains Gordon Shaw, Ph.D., professor of physics at UC Irvine and principal investigator for the study, is the ability to think ahead in space and time, a skill required for success in math, science and engineering.
Music plays an important role in tapping into the structure and patterning of the brain.
Shaw adds that although further study is needed, he believes that playing instruments other than the piano will also improve brain function. New research also indicates that singing uses similar mental skills. Give kids an early start on music education, urges Cutietta. If kids don't start to use their musical aptitude, it will begin to fall away. He suggests beginning with movement to music and singing at ages two and three, until kids are ready to start playing an instrument at age four, five or six.