There were two things I was pretty neurotic about when our children were younger... reading and playing an instrument. I suppose throughout my life I had casually observed that it seemed the smartest people with the most opportunities had those two things going for them. 

The studies agree!

How Music Makes You a Better Reader and Writer

Musicians might actually be smarter, and there's science to back it up. A study from Vanderbilt University found that professionally trained musicians typically score higher on cognitive tests and have IQs about 10 points higher than non-musicians (Schellenberg, 2004). But here's the really interesting part: The study showed that it's not just about being "smarter," it's about how music literally rewires your brain to be better at language.

Your Brain on Music

When researchers scanned musicians' brains using MRI technology, they found something amazing: 

Musicians have larger and more connected brain regions, especially in areas that control language and communication. The corpus callosum (the bridge between your brain's two halves) is actually thicker in musicians, meaning the two sides of their brain talk to each other better (Schlaug et al., 1995).

A Harvard study found that adults who had at least 10 years of musical training had superior verbal memory compared to non-musicians. They could remember word lists better, recall stories more accurately, and even scored higher on vocabulary tests. The kicker? These benefits lasted even if they hadn't touched an instrument in years (Chan et al., 1998).

Why Johnny's Piano Lessons Help His Reading

Kids who take music lessons for just two years show significant improvements in reading comprehension. Northwestern University researchers discovered that music training strengthens the brain's ability to distinguish between similar sounds – like "b" and "p" – which is crucial for reading (Kraus & Chandrasekaran, 2010).

Even more impressive? A study following kids from kindergarten through high school found that those who played instruments scored an average of 20% higher on English standardized tests (Catterall et al., 2012). The researchers think it's because reading music and reading words use overlapping brain circuits. When you strengthen one, you're automatically strengthening the other.

The Rhythm-Reading Connection

Stanford researchers found that kids who can keep a steady beat are better readers. When they gave rhythm training to struggling readers, their reading scores improved dramatically within just 8 weeks (Bhide et al., 2013).

It makes sense when you think about it. Language has its own rhythm. We naturally stress certain syllables and pause at commas. Kids who understand musical rhythm instinctively understand these language patterns better. One study even found that preschoolers' rhythm skills could predict their reading abilities five years later with scary accuracy (Woodruff Carr et al., 2014).

Musicians Make Better Writers (And It Shows)

Musicians consistently score higher on writing assessments, especially in organization and creativity. Why? Playing music teaches you to think about structure (verse-chorus-bridge sound familiar?), build tension and release, and create emotional arcs—all essential writing skills.

For those who struggle with ADD or ADHD this is important because organization is a part of the executive functioning system of the brain. In other words, we can infer the possibility that because musicians score higher in organization that musical training could help work out the frontal lobe and strengthen those executive functioning skills.

A University of Kansas study found that high school students involved in music programs scored 22% higher on English exams and wrote more sophisticated essays (Johnson & Memmott, 2006). The discipline from practicing scales translates directly into the discipline needed to revise and polish writing. Plus, musicians are used to expressing emotions without words which, oddly enough, makes them better at finding the right words when they need to.

The Bottom Line

No matter your age, picking up an instrument or joining a choir can help build a stronger, more well-connected literate brain. And the best part? Even casual musical practice brings benefits. 

Parents, grab some earplugs and let them go to town on that 3rd grade recorder or get one for you too and join in!