Today’s Wonder of the Day was inspired by Nathaniel. Nathaniel Wonders, “Can Music Help You Think?” Thanks for WONDERing with us, Nathaniel!

Do you love listening to music? Most kids do. What type of music do you like best? There’s nothing quite like the uplifting feeling you get from your favorite song.

Where and when do you like to listen to music? Alone in your room? With a friend? While you’re studying?

Yes, some kids like to listen to music while they study. But should they? Can music help you think or improve your memory? Or is it just a distraction?

Scientists have been interested in that question for a long time. However, there’s no straight answer. Studies have come to different conclusions over the years.

For example, scientific studies show that babies respond to music before they’re even born. Some experts believe that classical music can help children’s brains grow and make them smarter.

Music can also have physical effects on the body. Scientists have found that music can help lower blood pressure and even relieve pain.

But what about jamming to your favorite tunes while you’re trying to study for that big test? Can music help you remember facts for the big exam? Scientists say it may depend on the type of music you listen to. The subject you’re studying may also make a difference. 

For example, some experts believe music can help with reading and speaking skills. It does so by improving the listener’s ability to distinguish between sounds and better understand language patterns. So if you’re studying for a language arts exam, listening to music might help!

But what should you listen to? Classical music might be a good choice, as it can calm the nerves and help you focus. On the other hand, listening to loud, raucous music might have the opposite effect. It can keep your mind preoccupied with the music rather than the subject matter at hand.

The best way to find out whether listening to music will help you study is to give it a try. What works for some people doesn’t always work for others. So plug in your earbuds, scroll to your favorite song, and get to studying! Let us know if it works for you.

Standards: CCRA.L.3, CCRA.L.6, CCRA.R.4, CCRA.R.1, CCRA.R.2, CCRA.R.10, CCRA.SL.1, CCRA.W.4

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