"If your parents forced you to practice your scales by saying it would "build character," they were onto something," says journalist Tom Barnes.* "The Washington Post reports that one of the largest scientific studies into music's effect on the brain has found something striking: Musical training doesn't just affect your musical ability — it provides tremendous benefits to children's emotional and behavioral maturation."
"The study by the University of Vermont College of Medicine found that even those who never made it past nursery rhyme songs and do-re-mi's likely received some major developmental benefits just from playing. The study provides even more evidence as to why providing children with high-quality music education may be one of the most effective ways to ensure their success in life."
Eric and I already knew this, but it's nice to see it confirmed by yet another study.