Tip sheets: music and inhibitory control

Our evidence-based tip sheets for early childhood professionals break topics down into two parts: theory (Introducing It) and practice (Applying It). This set of tip sheets explores music as a tool for practicing inhibitory control. We created this resource in partnership with MacPhail Center for Music, along with a set of tip sheets on music and emotional regulation.

Inhibitory control is one of our executive function skills. It’s the skill that allows us to resist an impulse. Download Introducing It: How Music Integration Supports Inhibitory Control Development in Young Children to learn more about this skill and how it ties into making music. Download Applying It: Helping Young Children Practice Inhibitory control with Music to discover tips on making music a part of your work with children.

Explore all our tip sheets for early childhood professionals!

References

Below is a list of resources referenced in Introducing It: How Music Integration Supports Inhibitory Control Development in Young Children.

1. Diamond, A. (2013). Executive functions. Annual Review of Psychology, 64. doi.org/10.1146/annurev-psych-113011-143750
2. Rodriguez-Gomez D.A., Talero-Gutiérrez C. (2022). Effects of music training in executive function performance in children: A systematic review. Front Psychol., 13. doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.968144
3. Brown, G., Blumenthal, M.A., & Allen, A.A. (2022). The sound of self-regulation: Music program relates to an advantage for children at risk, Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 60, 126-136, doi.org/10.1016/j.ecresq.2022.01.002
4. Carlson, S. (2020) Executive function skills are the roots of success [Video]. TEDx Conferences. https://youtu.be/BvyTiC_byOo?si=eg9p1CtGRX0ISQp8
5. Evans, G. W. (2004). The environment of childhood poverty. The American Psychologist, 59, 77-92. doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.59.2.77
6. Joret, M.-E., Germeys, F., & Gidron, Y. (2017). Cognitive inhibitory control in children following early childhood music education. Musicae Scientiae, 21(3), 303-315. doi.org/10.1177/1029864916655477
7. Frischen, Schwarzer, & Degé (2021). Music lessons enhance executive functions in 6- to 7-year-old children. Learning and Instruction, 74. doi.org/10.1016/j.learninstruc.2021.101442.
8. Degé, F., Frischen, U. (2022). The impact of music training on executive functions in childhood—a systematic review. Z Erziehungswiss, 25, 579–602. doi.org/10.1007/s11618-022-01102-2
9. Degé, F., Patscheke, H., & Schwarzer, G. (2022). The influence of music training on motoric inhibition in German preschool children. Musicae Scientiae, 26(1), 172-184. doi.org/10.1177/1029864920938432
10. Slater J, Ashley R, Tierney A, Kraus N. (2018). Got rhythm? Better inhibitory control is linked with more consistent drumming and enhanced neural tracking of the musical beat in adult percussionists and nonpercussionists. J Cogn Neurosci. 30(1), 14-24. doi: 10.1162/jocn_a_01189

Below is a list of resources referenced in Applying It: Helping Young Children Practice Inhibitory Control with Music.

1. Gadberry, Anita L. (2011). Steady beat and state anxiety. Journal of Music Therapy, 48(3), 346–356. doi.org/10.1093/jmt/48.3.3462
2. Diamond, A. (2013). Executive functions. Annual Review of Psychology, 64. doi.org/10.1146/annurev-psych-113011-143750
3. Rodriguez-Gomez D.A., Talero-Gutiérrez C. (2022). Effects of music training in executive function performance in children: A systematic review. Front Psychol., 13. doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.968144
4. Brown, G., Blumenthal, M.A., & Allen, A.A. (2022). The sound of self-regulation: Music program relates to an advantage for children at risk, Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 60, 126-136. doi.org, 10.1016/j.ecresq.2022.01.002
5. Holmboe, K., Bonneville-Roussy, A., Csibra, G., Johnson, M.H. (2018) Longitudinal development of attention and inhibitory control during the first year of life. Dev Sci., 21. doi.org/10.1111/desc.12690

Related subjects

Tags: child care, early childhood education, infant and early childhood mental health