Music lessons improve children's brain development, and memory. Even when it sounds like a budding musician is banging out little more than noise, they are actually developing intellectual skills, a new Canadian study suggests.

   Even when parents hear only what sounds like random notes or nonsense, it's likely their children are developing their brains in ways that could enhance their overall thinking. Music training could improve literacy, verbal memory, mathematics, and IQ.

   A study found that particular changes in attentional systems of children who took music lessons, which affected their ability to pay attention to more important things around them.

   "Many studies have shown the value of music education and many parents want it for their children", said Ingrid Whyte, executive director of the Coalition for Music Education in Canada. I hope that music continues to enrich children all over the world.

Website: http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2006/09/20/music-brain.html