Does learning music help with math? Hundreds of elementary school students in California’s Alpine Union school district are finding out, using a math-and-music program that includes keyboard instrument exercises.

The Santa Ana-based MIND Institute, which developed the program, says teaching music develops students’ thinking and reasoning skills, which in turn enables them to do better in math. Music and math lessons are taught separately, the San Diego Union Tribune reports, but teachers say the music concepts help students in other subjects. Teacher Kelly Stacks said she’s seen improvement in her students’ academic performance. “Music is closely tied to how they’re going to do in math,” she said.

Filed under: K-12 Education News