A1 Journal article (refereed)
Rhythm and Reading : Connecting the Training of Musical Rhythm to the Development of Literacy Skills (2024)
Ahokas, J. R., Saarikallio, S., Welch, G., Parviainen, T., & Louhivuori, J. (2024). Rhythm and Reading : Connecting the Training of Musical Rhythm to the Development of Literacy Skills. Early Childhood Education Journal, Early online. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-024-01654-4
JYU authors or editors
Publication details
All authors or editors: Ahokas, J. Riikka; Saarikallio, Suvi; Welch, Graham; Parviainen, Tiina; Louhivuori, Jukka
Journal or series: Early Childhood Education Journal
ISSN: 1082-3301
eISSN: 1573-1707
Publication year: 2024
Publication date: 21/03/2024
Volume: Early online
Publisher: Springer
Publication country: Netherlands
Publication language: English
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-024-01654-4
Publication open access: Openly available
Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel
Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/94261
Abstract
This study investigated whether enhanced rhythm training improves literacy development and working memory performance in pupils in the first and second year of school. According to recent literature, we hypothesized that rhythm-focused training could be effective for children with reading difficulties. Pupils aged 6 to 8 years participated in the study, implemented as part of regular school music lessons. Children were divided into an experimental group that received enhanced rhythm training and a control group that received an equivalent amount of music instruction but without enhanced rhythm training. The intervention was delivered once a week for three months (13 lessons in total). The test battery included pre- and post-measures (0 and 3 months, respectively) with literacy and working memory assessment, and follow-ups (8 and 20 months) with literacy assessment. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in literacy skills after training. However, there was a moderate improvement in working memory performance for the experimental, but not the comparison group. In a post hoc analysis, we found an effect in a subgroup of lower starting-level readers, as the increase in literacy development of these students was statistically significant in the experimental, but not in the comparison group.
Keywords: reading; literacy; music; rhythm
Free keywords: musical rhythm; music and movement; literacy skills; reading impairment; close-to-practice design
Contributing organizations
Related projects
- Centre of Excellence in Music, Mind, Body and Brain
- Toiviainen, Petri
- Research Council of Finland
Ministry reporting: Yes
Reporting Year: 2024
Preliminary JUFO rating: 1
- Music Education (Department of Music, Art and Culture Studies MUTKU) MKA
- School of Wellbeing (University of Jyväskylä JYU) JYU.Well
- Social Sustainability for Children and Families (University of Jyväskylä JYU) SOSUS
- Psychology (Department of Psychology PSY) PSY
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Brain Research (Department of Psychology PSY) CIBR