Recent research has added even more evidence to the idea that childhood music lessons aren’t just beneficial while you’re young — they may actually help keep the brain sharper well into older adulthood.
A study published in Neuropsychology showed that adults aged 60 to 83 who had taken music lessons as children performed better on tests of memory, cognitive flexibility, and organizational skills than those who had never studied music. Even for those who stopped playing their instrument decades ago, the early training appeared to leave lasting effects.
The research divided participants into groups based on their level of musical experience: those with no music lessons, those with a few years of casual training, and those with 10 or more years of formal study. Unsurprisingly, those who had the longest and most consistent musical education showed the greatest benefits when it came to brain performance.
Scientists suggest that early music study acts like a form of “cognitive exercise,” strengthening brain pathways and improving the mind’s ability to adapt and stay flexible — a skill that naturally becomes more challenging with age. Importantly, they noted that the earlier the musical training began, the stronger the long-term benefits appeared to be.
Even though most participants were amateurs who started around age 10, their experiences left a meaningful imprint. Many had played piano, woodwinds, strings, or percussion instruments in their youth.
This study offers a compelling reminder: encouraging children to study music is not only an investment in creativity and discipline but may also help set them up for better cognitive health throughout their lives.
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