The Therapeutic Value of Music
Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2025 8:49 am
Every parent wants their child to get straight As and go to college. But with all of the focus on academic achievement, many parents and teens lose sight of the importance of pursuing extracurricular interests like the arts. Adolescents, especially those with behavioral or learning issues, need a creative outlet to express themselves and explore their strengths and passions.
Not only is music enjoyable, it can be therapeutic, particularly for teens who are resistant to traditional talk therapies. In fact, most therapeutic boarding schools and residential treatment centers prioritize "experiential therapy" by offering a range of activities in music and the arts. This is one factor that distinguishes reputable, results-driven therapeutic boarding schools from military schools and boot camps. Participating in music, drama, dance, or other art programs helps teens release pent-up emotions, manage stress, improve mood, and resolve conflicts. These boarding school programs offer tools and skills for lifelong success and fulfillment, rather than simply teaching students to obey orders and conform to a set of uniform standards.
Why Music Is Effective
Most people, even those with physical, cognitive, or email data problems, have an innate responsiveness to music. Whether you prefer humming along to classic rock in the car, singing opera in the shower, or playing jazz on an instrument, music has its own universal language that appeals to every age group and walk of life.
Research has shown that the rhythm of a song can stimulate brainwaves. Faster songs facilitate concentration and alertness while slower songs promote calmness. These effects frequently last even after you've stopped listening. Music also impacts breathing and heart rate, reducing stress, lowering blood pressure, boosting immunity, and improving overall health. You don't have to play an instrument to reap the benefits of music. Positive effects have been noted from simply listening to a song, singing a tune, or clapping along to a beat.
Music Makes You Smarter
For many students, getting straight As may not be as simple as attending class and studying hard. By taking time to learn about and enjoy music, students actually fare better academically. Why? Musical training helps develop the left side of the brain known to be involved with reasoning and processing language, and boosts spatial intelligence (the ability to perceive the world accurately and form mental pictures), which promotes advanced mathematics skills.
In a 1997 study, a group of preschoolers who received piano training performed 34 percent higher on tests measuring spatial-temporal ability than a second group who received computer training. A McGill University reported similar findings. Researchers noted significant improvements in self-esteem, pattern recognition, and mental representation for students given piano instruction over a three-year period.
Not only is music enjoyable, it can be therapeutic, particularly for teens who are resistant to traditional talk therapies. In fact, most therapeutic boarding schools and residential treatment centers prioritize "experiential therapy" by offering a range of activities in music and the arts. This is one factor that distinguishes reputable, results-driven therapeutic boarding schools from military schools and boot camps. Participating in music, drama, dance, or other art programs helps teens release pent-up emotions, manage stress, improve mood, and resolve conflicts. These boarding school programs offer tools and skills for lifelong success and fulfillment, rather than simply teaching students to obey orders and conform to a set of uniform standards.
Why Music Is Effective
Most people, even those with physical, cognitive, or email data problems, have an innate responsiveness to music. Whether you prefer humming along to classic rock in the car, singing opera in the shower, or playing jazz on an instrument, music has its own universal language that appeals to every age group and walk of life.
Research has shown that the rhythm of a song can stimulate brainwaves. Faster songs facilitate concentration and alertness while slower songs promote calmness. These effects frequently last even after you've stopped listening. Music also impacts breathing and heart rate, reducing stress, lowering blood pressure, boosting immunity, and improving overall health. You don't have to play an instrument to reap the benefits of music. Positive effects have been noted from simply listening to a song, singing a tune, or clapping along to a beat.
Music Makes You Smarter
For many students, getting straight As may not be as simple as attending class and studying hard. By taking time to learn about and enjoy music, students actually fare better academically. Why? Musical training helps develop the left side of the brain known to be involved with reasoning and processing language, and boosts spatial intelligence (the ability to perceive the world accurately and form mental pictures), which promotes advanced mathematics skills.
In a 1997 study, a group of preschoolers who received piano training performed 34 percent higher on tests measuring spatial-temporal ability than a second group who received computer training. A McGill University reported similar findings. Researchers noted significant improvements in self-esteem, pattern recognition, and mental representation for students given piano instruction over a three-year period.