A study published today in the journal Brain finds that learning music skills at a young age (4 to 6) improves memory and other skills versus those who have not had musical skill training:

Dr Fujioka added: "Previous work has shown assignment to musical training is associated with improvements in IQ in school-aged children. Our work explores how musical training affects the way in which the brain develops. It is clear that music is good for children's cognitive development and that music should be part of the pre-school and primary school curriculum."