How Music Learning Boosts Math and Reading Scores in Kids Ages 6-13
Monday, January 26, 2026
Monday, January 26, 2026
What if the secret to better grades in math and reading wasn't more worksheets or extra tutoring sessions? What if it was... learning guitar?
It sounds too good to be true, but decades of research back it up. Kids who learn music, especially instruments like guitar, develop cognitive skills that directly transfer to academic performance. We're talking about real, measurable improvements in math and reading scores, particularly for children ages 6-13.
The best part? With the right music education app, kids don't even realize they're building these brain-boosting skills. They're just having fun.
Let's break down the science, the stats, and how a guitar learning app for kids can turn practice time into a secret weapon for academic success.
The Brain on Music: Why Learning an Instrument Changes Everything
When a child picks up a guitar, their brain lights up like a firework show. They're not just learning chords, they're building neural pathways that impact everything from problem-solving to language comprehension.
Here's what happens under the hood:
Pattern recognition gets a major upgrade. Music is built on patterns, rhythmic, melodic, and harmonic. Kids who study music become pattern-spotting pros, and that skill transfers directly to math.
Spatial-temporal reasoning develops. This is the ability to visualize and manipulate objects in space. It's crucial for geometry, measurement, and even understanding fractions.
Auditory processing sharpens. Music training improves how the brain processes sounds, which helps kids recognize words, follow complex sentences, and understand language nuances.
These aren't abstract benefits. They show up in classrooms, on tests, and in everyday learning.
Music and Math: More Connected Than You Think
Let's talk numbers, specifically, how learning guitar helps kids understand them better:
Rhythm Is Basically Math You Can Feel
When a child learns to count beats, hold notes for specific durations, and understand time signatures, they're doing math without realizing it. A whole note equals four beats. A half note equals two. Quarter notes, eighth notes, rests, it's all fractions in disguise.
For kids ages 6-13 who are just wrapping their heads around arithmetic and basic fractions, this hands-on approach makes abstract concepts click.
Pattern Recognition Powers Mathematical Thinking
Math is full of patterns: number sequences, multiplication tables, algebraic equations. Music training strengthens the brain's ability to spot and predict patterns, giving kids a leg up when they encounter mathematical concepts in school.
Research shows this connection is especially powerful for younger children learning foundational arithmetic. The patterns they internalize through music become building blocks for more complex math later on.
The Stats Are Impressive
A meta-analysis covering nearly 50 years of research found that 73% of students who received integrated music-math lessons showed significantly better math performance compared to peers without musical intervention. That's not a slight edge, that's a game-changer.
Even standard music lessons made a difference, with 58% of students improving more than those without any musical exposure.
Music and Reading: The Unexpected Connection
Here's where things get really interesting. Learning guitar doesn't just help with math, it also boosts reading skills:
Better Ears Mean Better Readers
Music training enhances auditory discrimination, which is the ability to identify different sounds in spoken language. This skill is fundamental to reading. Kids who can distinguish between similar sounds (like "bat" and "pat") learn to read more quickly and accurately.
When children practice guitar and learn to differentiate between pitches, tones, and rhythms, they're simultaneously training their brains to process language more effectively.
Vocabulary and Comprehension Get a Boost
Music education introduces kids to new terminology and concepts. But beyond vocabulary, the discipline of learning an instrument, following instructions, understanding structure, making connections, translates to better reading comprehension.
Studies show that musically trained children perform better on standardized reading tests, and the benefits compound over time.
One Academic Year Ahead
In a massive study of over 100,000 Canadian students, researchers found that kids engaged in instrumental music were equivalent to about one academic year ahead of their peers in English, mathematics, and science skills.
One full year. That's significant.
Why Ages 6-13 Is the Sweet Spot
If you're wondering whether timing matters, the answer is yes, a lot.
Research consistently shows that music has the greatest impact on younger pupils and those learning basic mathematical concepts. The 6-13 age range represents an optimal window where the brain is incredibly plastic and foundational academic skills are being established.
This is when kids are:
Learning to read fluently
Mastering basic arithmetic and fractions
Developing study habits and learning strategies
Building confidence (or anxiety) around academic subjects
Introducing music education during this period doesn't just add a fun activity to their schedule. It reinforces and accelerates the core skills they need for academic success.
The Problem: Traditional Music Lessons Can Feel Like... Work
Here's the catch. All these benefits only happen if kids actually practice. And let's be honest, traditional music lessons don't always inspire excitement in a 7-year-old.
Scales. Repetition. Music theory worksheets. For many kids, it starts to feel like just another homework assignment.
That's where modern technology, specifically, a well-designed guitar app for beginners, changes the game.
Enter Notey's World: Where Brain-Building Feels Like Gaming
Notey's World takes everything we know about the cognitive benefits of music education and wraps it in a video game experience that kids actually want to play.
Instead of drilling scales in isolation, kids go on musical adventures. They learn real guitar skills, including sight reading, rhythm, and pattern recognition, while exploring colorful universes and completing challenges.
Here's why it works:
Gamification Meets Pedagogy
Notey's World isn't just a game with guitar sounds. It's built on solid music education principles, designed to develop the exact skills that transfer to academic performance. Kids practice rhythm (hello, fractions), pattern recognition (hello, math), and auditory discrimination (hello, reading): all while having fun.
Repetition Without the Boredom
Research shows that repetition is crucial for learning guitar, but kids hate doing the same thing over and over. Notey's World solves this by making practice feel like play. Kids repeat skills because they want to level up, not because someone told them to.
Perfect for the 6-13 Age Range
The app is specifically designed for young learners, with age-appropriate challenges that grow with the child. It's not a watered-down adult guitar app: it's purpose-built for kids in that critical developmental window.
Making It Work: Practical Tips for Parents and Educators
Want to maximize the academic benefits of music learning for your kids or students? Here are some strategies:
Start early, but don't stress. Any age between 6-13 is a great time to begin. The key is consistency, not perfection.
Integrate music and academics. When math teachers and music educators collaborate: like clapping rhythms for number learning: students experience both improved performance and reduced math anxiety.
Choose tools that keep kids engaged. A music education app like Notey's World removes the friction of traditional practice and keeps kids coming back.
Celebrate progress, not just perfection. The cognitive benefits come from the process of learning, not just from mastering songs.
Be patient. The academic benefits compound over time. You might not see immediate test score improvements, but the neural pathways being built will pay dividends for years.
The Bottom Line
Learning guitar isn't just about music. For kids ages 6-13, it's a proven pathway to stronger math skills, better reading comprehension, and overall academic success. The research is clear: pattern recognition, spatial reasoning, and auditory processing developed through music directly transfer to the classroom.
The challenge has always been getting kids to stick with practice long enough to see these benefits. That's exactly why tools like Notey's World exist: to make the brain-building power of music education feel like an adventure rather than a chore.
Your child might think they're just playing a game. You'll know they're building skills that will serve them for a lifetime.
Ready to see what a guitar learning app for kids can do? Check out Notey's World and give your child the gift of music: and a secret academic advantage.
What if the secret to better grades in math and reading wasn't more worksheets or extra tutoring sessions? What if it was... learning guitar?
It sounds too good to be true, but decades of research back it up. Kids who learn music, especially instruments like guitar, develop cognitive skills that directly transfer to academic performance. We're talking about real, measurable improvements in math and reading scores, particularly for children ages 6-13.
The best part? With the right music education app, kids don't even realize they're building these brain-boosting skills. They're just having fun.
Let's break down the science, the stats, and how a guitar learning app for kids can turn practice time into a secret weapon for academic success.
The Brain on Music: Why Learning an Instrument Changes Everything
When a child picks up a guitar, their brain lights up like a firework show. They're not just learning chords, they're building neural pathways that impact everything from problem-solving to language comprehension.
Here's what happens under the hood:
Pattern recognition gets a major upgrade. Music is built on patterns, rhythmic, melodic, and harmonic. Kids who study music become pattern-spotting pros, and that skill transfers directly to math.
Spatial-temporal reasoning develops. This is the ability to visualize and manipulate objects in space. It's crucial for geometry, measurement, and even understanding fractions.
Auditory processing sharpens. Music training improves how the brain processes sounds, which helps kids recognize words, follow complex sentences, and understand language nuances.
These aren't abstract benefits. They show up in classrooms, on tests, and in everyday learning.
Music and Math: More Connected Than You Think
Let's talk numbers, specifically, how learning guitar helps kids understand them better:
Rhythm Is Basically Math You Can Feel
When a child learns to count beats, hold notes for specific durations, and understand time signatures, they're doing math without realizing it. A whole note equals four beats. A half note equals two. Quarter notes, eighth notes, rests, it's all fractions in disguise.
For kids ages 6-13 who are just wrapping their heads around arithmetic and basic fractions, this hands-on approach makes abstract concepts click.
Pattern Recognition Powers Mathematical Thinking
Math is full of patterns: number sequences, multiplication tables, algebraic equations. Music training strengthens the brain's ability to spot and predict patterns, giving kids a leg up when they encounter mathematical concepts in school.
Research shows this connection is especially powerful for younger children learning foundational arithmetic. The patterns they internalize through music become building blocks for more complex math later on.
The Stats Are Impressive
A meta-analysis covering nearly 50 years of research found that 73% of students who received integrated music-math lessons showed significantly better math performance compared to peers without musical intervention. That's not a slight edge, that's a game-changer.
Even standard music lessons made a difference, with 58% of students improving more than those without any musical exposure.
Music and Reading: The Unexpected Connection
Here's where things get really interesting. Learning guitar doesn't just help with math, it also boosts reading skills:
Better Ears Mean Better Readers
Music training enhances auditory discrimination, which is the ability to identify different sounds in spoken language. This skill is fundamental to reading. Kids who can distinguish between similar sounds (like "bat" and "pat") learn to read more quickly and accurately.
When children practice guitar and learn to differentiate between pitches, tones, and rhythms, they're simultaneously training their brains to process language more effectively.
Vocabulary and Comprehension Get a Boost
Music education introduces kids to new terminology and concepts. But beyond vocabulary, the discipline of learning an instrument, following instructions, understanding structure, making connections, translates to better reading comprehension.
Studies show that musically trained children perform better on standardized reading tests, and the benefits compound over time.
One Academic Year Ahead
In a massive study of over 100,000 Canadian students, researchers found that kids engaged in instrumental music were equivalent to about one academic year ahead of their peers in English, mathematics, and science skills.
One full year. That's significant.
Why Ages 6-13 Is the Sweet Spot
If you're wondering whether timing matters, the answer is yes, a lot.
Research consistently shows that music has the greatest impact on younger pupils and those learning basic mathematical concepts. The 6-13 age range represents an optimal window where the brain is incredibly plastic and foundational academic skills are being established.
This is when kids are:
Learning to read fluently
Mastering basic arithmetic and fractions
Developing study habits and learning strategies
Building confidence (or anxiety) around academic subjects
Introducing music education during this period doesn't just add a fun activity to their schedule. It reinforces and accelerates the core skills they need for academic success.
The Problem: Traditional Music Lessons Can Feel Like... Work
Here's the catch. All these benefits only happen if kids actually practice. And let's be honest, traditional music lessons don't always inspire excitement in a 7-year-old.
Scales. Repetition. Music theory worksheets. For many kids, it starts to feel like just another homework assignment.
That's where modern technology, specifically, a well-designed guitar app for beginners, changes the game.
Enter Notey's World: Where Brain-Building Feels Like Gaming
Notey's World takes everything we know about the cognitive benefits of music education and wraps it in a video game experience that kids actually want to play.
Instead of drilling scales in isolation, kids go on musical adventures. They learn real guitar skills, including sight reading, rhythm, and pattern recognition, while exploring colorful universes and completing challenges.
Here's why it works:
Gamification Meets Pedagogy
Notey's World isn't just a game with guitar sounds. It's built on solid music education principles, designed to develop the exact skills that transfer to academic performance. Kids practice rhythm (hello, fractions), pattern recognition (hello, math), and auditory discrimination (hello, reading): all while having fun.
Repetition Without the Boredom
Research shows that repetition is crucial for learning guitar, but kids hate doing the same thing over and over. Notey's World solves this by making practice feel like play. Kids repeat skills because they want to level up, not because someone told them to.
Perfect for the 6-13 Age Range
The app is specifically designed for young learners, with age-appropriate challenges that grow with the child. It's not a watered-down adult guitar app: it's purpose-built for kids in that critical developmental window.
Making It Work: Practical Tips for Parents and Educators
Want to maximize the academic benefits of music learning for your kids or students? Here are some strategies:
Start early, but don't stress. Any age between 6-13 is a great time to begin. The key is consistency, not perfection.
Integrate music and academics. When math teachers and music educators collaborate: like clapping rhythms for number learning: students experience both improved performance and reduced math anxiety.
Choose tools that keep kids engaged. A music education app like Notey's World removes the friction of traditional practice and keeps kids coming back.
Celebrate progress, not just perfection. The cognitive benefits come from the process of learning, not just from mastering songs.
Be patient. The academic benefits compound over time. You might not see immediate test score improvements, but the neural pathways being built will pay dividends for years.
The Bottom Line
Learning guitar isn't just about music. For kids ages 6-13, it's a proven pathway to stronger math skills, better reading comprehension, and overall academic success. The research is clear: pattern recognition, spatial reasoning, and auditory processing developed through music directly transfer to the classroom.
The challenge has always been getting kids to stick with practice long enough to see these benefits. That's exactly why tools like Notey's World exist: to make the brain-building power of music education feel like an adventure rather than a chore.
Your child might think they're just playing a game. You'll know they're building skills that will serve them for a lifetime.
Ready to see what a guitar learning app for kids can do? Check out Notey's World and give your child the gift of music: and a secret academic advantage.
What if the secret to better grades in math and reading wasn't more worksheets or extra tutoring sessions? What if it was... learning guitar?
It sounds too good to be true, but decades of research back it up. Kids who learn music, especially instruments like guitar, develop cognitive skills that directly transfer to academic performance. We're talking about real, measurable improvements in math and reading scores, particularly for children ages 6-13.
The best part? With the right music education app, kids don't even realize they're building these brain-boosting skills. They're just having fun.
Let's break down the science, the stats, and how a guitar learning app for kids can turn practice time into a secret weapon for academic success.
The Brain on Music: Why Learning an Instrument Changes Everything
When a child picks up a guitar, their brain lights up like a firework show. They're not just learning chords, they're building neural pathways that impact everything from problem-solving to language comprehension.
Here's what happens under the hood:
Pattern recognition gets a major upgrade. Music is built on patterns, rhythmic, melodic, and harmonic. Kids who study music become pattern-spotting pros, and that skill transfers directly to math.
Spatial-temporal reasoning develops. This is the ability to visualize and manipulate objects in space. It's crucial for geometry, measurement, and even understanding fractions.
Auditory processing sharpens. Music training improves how the brain processes sounds, which helps kids recognize words, follow complex sentences, and understand language nuances.
These aren't abstract benefits. They show up in classrooms, on tests, and in everyday learning.
Music and Math: More Connected Than You Think
Let's talk numbers, specifically, how learning guitar helps kids understand them better:
Rhythm Is Basically Math You Can Feel
When a child learns to count beats, hold notes for specific durations, and understand time signatures, they're doing math without realizing it. A whole note equals four beats. A half note equals two. Quarter notes, eighth notes, rests, it's all fractions in disguise.
For kids ages 6-13 who are just wrapping their heads around arithmetic and basic fractions, this hands-on approach makes abstract concepts click.
Pattern Recognition Powers Mathematical Thinking
Math is full of patterns: number sequences, multiplication tables, algebraic equations. Music training strengthens the brain's ability to spot and predict patterns, giving kids a leg up when they encounter mathematical concepts in school.
Research shows this connection is especially powerful for younger children learning foundational arithmetic. The patterns they internalize through music become building blocks for more complex math later on.
The Stats Are Impressive
A meta-analysis covering nearly 50 years of research found that 73% of students who received integrated music-math lessons showed significantly better math performance compared to peers without musical intervention. That's not a slight edge, that's a game-changer.
Even standard music lessons made a difference, with 58% of students improving more than those without any musical exposure.
Music and Reading: The Unexpected Connection
Here's where things get really interesting. Learning guitar doesn't just help with math, it also boosts reading skills:
Better Ears Mean Better Readers
Music training enhances auditory discrimination, which is the ability to identify different sounds in spoken language. This skill is fundamental to reading. Kids who can distinguish between similar sounds (like "bat" and "pat") learn to read more quickly and accurately.
When children practice guitar and learn to differentiate between pitches, tones, and rhythms, they're simultaneously training their brains to process language more effectively.
Vocabulary and Comprehension Get a Boost
Music education introduces kids to new terminology and concepts. But beyond vocabulary, the discipline of learning an instrument, following instructions, understanding structure, making connections, translates to better reading comprehension.
Studies show that musically trained children perform better on standardized reading tests, and the benefits compound over time.
One Academic Year Ahead
In a massive study of over 100,000 Canadian students, researchers found that kids engaged in instrumental music were equivalent to about one academic year ahead of their peers in English, mathematics, and science skills.
One full year. That's significant.
Why Ages 6-13 Is the Sweet Spot
If you're wondering whether timing matters, the answer is yes, a lot.
Research consistently shows that music has the greatest impact on younger pupils and those learning basic mathematical concepts. The 6-13 age range represents an optimal window where the brain is incredibly plastic and foundational academic skills are being established.
This is when kids are:
Learning to read fluently
Mastering basic arithmetic and fractions
Developing study habits and learning strategies
Building confidence (or anxiety) around academic subjects
Introducing music education during this period doesn't just add a fun activity to their schedule. It reinforces and accelerates the core skills they need for academic success.
The Problem: Traditional Music Lessons Can Feel Like... Work
Here's the catch. All these benefits only happen if kids actually practice. And let's be honest, traditional music lessons don't always inspire excitement in a 7-year-old.
Scales. Repetition. Music theory worksheets. For many kids, it starts to feel like just another homework assignment.
That's where modern technology, specifically, a well-designed guitar app for beginners, changes the game.
Enter Notey's World: Where Brain-Building Feels Like Gaming
Notey's World takes everything we know about the cognitive benefits of music education and wraps it in a video game experience that kids actually want to play.
Instead of drilling scales in isolation, kids go on musical adventures. They learn real guitar skills, including sight reading, rhythm, and pattern recognition, while exploring colorful universes and completing challenges.
Here's why it works:
Gamification Meets Pedagogy
Notey's World isn't just a game with guitar sounds. It's built on solid music education principles, designed to develop the exact skills that transfer to academic performance. Kids practice rhythm (hello, fractions), pattern recognition (hello, math), and auditory discrimination (hello, reading): all while having fun.
Repetition Without the Boredom
Research shows that repetition is crucial for learning guitar, but kids hate doing the same thing over and over. Notey's World solves this by making practice feel like play. Kids repeat skills because they want to level up, not because someone told them to.
Perfect for the 6-13 Age Range
The app is specifically designed for young learners, with age-appropriate challenges that grow with the child. It's not a watered-down adult guitar app: it's purpose-built for kids in that critical developmental window.
Making It Work: Practical Tips for Parents and Educators
Want to maximize the academic benefits of music learning for your kids or students? Here are some strategies:
Start early, but don't stress. Any age between 6-13 is a great time to begin. The key is consistency, not perfection.
Integrate music and academics. When math teachers and music educators collaborate: like clapping rhythms for number learning: students experience both improved performance and reduced math anxiety.
Choose tools that keep kids engaged. A music education app like Notey's World removes the friction of traditional practice and keeps kids coming back.
Celebrate progress, not just perfection. The cognitive benefits come from the process of learning, not just from mastering songs.
Be patient. The academic benefits compound over time. You might not see immediate test score improvements, but the neural pathways being built will pay dividends for years.
The Bottom Line
Learning guitar isn't just about music. For kids ages 6-13, it's a proven pathway to stronger math skills, better reading comprehension, and overall academic success. The research is clear: pattern recognition, spatial reasoning, and auditory processing developed through music directly transfer to the classroom.
The challenge has always been getting kids to stick with practice long enough to see these benefits. That's exactly why tools like Notey's World exist: to make the brain-building power of music education feel like an adventure rather than a chore.
Your child might think they're just playing a game. You'll know they're building skills that will serve them for a lifetime.
Ready to see what a guitar learning app for kids can do? Check out Notey's World and give your child the gift of music: and a secret academic advantage.