Miller, an avowed country-music lover, is convinced that music can stimulate brain development in young children. And having an infant listen to soothing music helps trillions of brain connections to develop. We couldn't carry a tune in a basket. We go to concerts frequently. Our kids play an instrument.
Music is a central part of our family life.
That's quite a claim. Not according to Jon Bruer, president of the James S. McDonnell Foundation, and a specialist in cognitive science. Music and the arts are very important components of education. However, recent discussions in our popular media, such as Time and Newsweek, emphasize the importance of listening to music and music training to improve spatial-reasoning skills. But the research behind all this is very thin.