The Importance of Music Education in the Cognitive Development of a Child Age 0 – 6 Years in Obio/Akpor Local Government, Rivers State

 Music education has long been recognized for its benefits to individuals of all ages. Recent studies have focused on the importance of music education in the cognitive development and academic achievement in a child. This article aims to explore the positive effects that music education can have on child’s cognitive abilities and academic performance. Studies have shown that music education enhances cognitive abilities such as memory, attention, and spatial reasoning. Music education also improves academic performance, particularly in reading and mathematical skills. The cognitive skills acquired through music education are transferable to other areas of academic performance, resulting in an overall improvement in academic achievement. Given the significant benefits of music education, it is essential to provide music education in schools to enhance cognitive abilities and academic performance in a child. The paper recommends amongst other that parents should expose their child to music environment at early stage in order to significantly impact sensory, cognitive, and socio-emotional developments which serve as a benefit to the child.