Beskrivning

Despite our growing understating of childhood development, little is known about how participation in arts and specifically in music can contribute to children’s social and emotional skills and well-being. This is particularly true in the context of challenges associated with mental health facing children and adolescents during the COVID 19 pandemic.

In a multi-year longitudinal study we investigated, using behavioral, neuroimaging, and electrophysiological measures, the effects of participation in a community-based music training program on the development of children from under-resourced and ethnically and racially diverse communities in Los Angeles.

We demonstrated over the course of 5 years that participation in music education is associated with enhancement in brain development, as well as the development of emotion regulation, reduced hyperactivity and aggression, and enhancement of socio-emotional skills including empathy. These findings highlight the benefits of incorporating art-education programs in childhood education.

In collaboration with Gothenburg’s 400th Anniversary.

Medverkande

Assal Habibi, Associate Research Professor of Psychology, USC Brain and Creativity Institute, University of Southern California.