Beyond the Sound of Music:
Exploring the Impact of Music Education on Child Development

Dr. Elisabeth Dumont, Lecturer at the Maastricht Academy of Music, the Netherlands 

Music is a regular subject included in the curriculum from preschool to secondary education in most countries. Besides benefits relating to music education itself, research suggests that it may also have beneficial effects on other, non-musical domains. The results of the latest research on the effects of music training and education on learning and development in primary school-aged children are presented as well as possible influencing factors that might contribute to the outcomes. Next, the concept of special music education (a particular type of music education in the Netherlands) and the potential it may hold for children in primary education will be explored in more detail. Subsequently, the main research findings are discussed, and theoretical and practical implications of these findings are considered.

Dr. Elisabeth Dumont studied developmental psychology and neuropsychology at Maastricht University. After graduation in 2003, she started working as a psychologist in special primary education and at an institution for Outpatient Mental Healthcare, focusing on children with behavioural and/or learning problems. In 2011, she obtained a Master’s degree in Piano Accompaniment/Instrumental and Vocal Coaching. During her PhD work at Maastricht University, she investigated the relationship between Special Music Education and the development of executive functions in children in special and mainstream primary education. She is a lecturer at the Music in Education department at the Maastricht Academy of Music

Followed by a moderated discussion