Is Music Training Essential in Enhancing the Cognitive Profile of Preschool Children With Learning Difficulties?

Author First name, Last name, Institution

• Maria Sofologi, University of Ioannina
• Agathi Argyriadi, Frederick University
• Dimitra V. Katsarou, University of the Aegean
• Efthymia Efthymiou, Zayed University, Abu Dhabi CampusFollow
• Evangelos Mantsos, University of Western Macedonia
• Georgios Kougioumtzis, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
• Alexandros Argyriadis, Hellenic Mediterranean University
• Kalliopi Megari, University of York

Document Type

Article

Source of Publication

Neurorehabilitation Intervention and Technology in Childhood Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Publication Date

8-13-2026

Abstract

Preschool children with learning difficulties often show complex, interrelated cognitive impairments affecting executive functions, attention, memory, language, visuospatial skills, and socio-emotional regulation, which can undermine school readiness and later academic outcomes. This review synthesizes experimental, longitudinal, and meta-analytic evidence on the effects of music training on executive functions, language and literacy, academic performance, sensory-motor integration, and social-emotional development. Although effects on general intelligence and academic achievement are modest and variable, music training appears particularly beneficial for at-risk children, supporting holistic development during a critical period of neuroplasticity.

DOI Link

10.4018/979-8-2600-3311-1.ch003

ISBN

[9798260033111, 9798260033128, 9798260033135]

Publisher

IGI Global Scientific Publishing

First Page

67

Last Page

94

Disciplines

Education

Keywords

Psychology (0.76) | Cognition (0.61) | Developmental psychology (0.54) | Executive functions (0.49) | Music education (0.45) | Academic achievement (0.45) | Training (meteorology) (0.44) | Cognitive development (0.43) | Cognitive training (0.42) | Cognitive psychology (0.38) | Period (music) (0.36) | Cognitive style (0.33) | Child development (0.33) | Applied psychology (0.3) | Learning to learn (0.26)

Scopus ID

105050380934

Recommended Citation

Sofologi, Maria; Argyriadi, Agathi; Katsarou, Dimitra V.; Efthymiou, Efthymia; Mantsos, Evangelos; Kougioumtzis, Georgios; Argyriadis, Alexandros; and Megari, Kalliopi, "Is Music Training Essential in Enhancing the Cognitive Profile of Preschool Children With Learning Difficulties?" (2026). All Works. 8462.
https://zuscholars.zu.ac.ae/works/8462

Indexed in Scopus

yes

Open Access

no