View in EDS HTML Full Text PDF Full Text

Digital rhythm training improves reading fluency in children.

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: Digital rhythm training improves reading fluency in children.
Authors: Zanto, Theodore P. (AUTHOR), Giannakopoulou, Anastasia (AUTHOR), Gallen, Courtney L. (AUTHOR), Ostrand, Avery E. (AUTHOR), Younger, Jessica W. (AUTHOR), Anguera‐Singla, Roger (AUTHOR), Anguera, Joaquin A. (AUTHOR), Gazzaley, Adam (AUTHOR)
Source: Developmental Science. May2024, Vol. 27 Issue 3, p1-15. 15p.
Subjects: Musical meter & rhythm, Executive function, Rhythm, Academic ability, Musical instruments
Abstract: Musical instrument training has been linked to improved academic and cognitive abilities in children, but it remains unclear why this occurs. Moreover, access to instrument training is not always feasible, thereby leaving less fortunate children without opportunity to benefit from such training. Although music‐based video games may be more accessible to a broader population, research is lacking regarding their benefits on academic and cognitive performance. To address this gap, we assessed a custom‐designed, digital rhythm training game as a proxy for instrument training to evaluate its ability to engender benefits in math and reading abilities. Furthermore, we tested for changes in core cognitive functions related to math and reading to inform how rhythm training may facilitate improved academic abilities. Classrooms of 8–9 year old children were randomized to receive either 6 weeks of rhythm training (N = 32) or classroom instruction as usual (control; N = 21). Compared to the control group, results showed that rhythm training improved reading, but not math, fluency. Assessments of cognition showed that rhythm training also led to improved rhythmic timing and language‐based executive function (Stroop task), but not sustained attention, inhibitory control, or working memory. Interestingly, only the improvements in rhythmic timing correlated with improvements in reading ability. Together, these results provide novel evidence that a digital platform may serve as a proxy for musical instrument training to facilitate reading fluency in children, and that such reading improvements are related to enhanced rhythmic timing ability and not other cognitive functions associated with reading performance. Research Highlights: Digital rhythm training in the classroom can improve reading fluency in 8–9 year old childrenImprovements in reading fluency were positively correlated with enhanced rhythmic timing abilityAlterations in reading fluency were not predicted by changes in other executive functions that support readingA digital platform may be a convenient and cost‐effective means to provide musical rhythm training, which in turn, can facilitate academic skills [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Developmental Science is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
Full text is not displayed to guests.
FullText Links:
  – Type: pdflink
Text:
  Availability: 1
Header DbId: pbh
DbLabel: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
An: 176474144
AccessLevel: 6
PubType: Academic Journal
PubTypeId: academicJournal
PreciseRelevancyScore: 0
IllustrationInfo
Items – Name: Title
  Label: Title
  Group: Ti
  Data: Digital rhythm training improves reading fluency in children.
– Name: Author
  Label: Authors
  Group: Au
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Zanto%2C+Theodore+P%2E%22">Zanto, Theodore P.</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Giannakopoulou%2C+Anastasia%22">Giannakopoulou, Anastasia</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Gallen%2C+Courtney+L%2E%22">Gallen, Courtney L.</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Ostrand%2C+Avery+E%2E%22">Ostrand, Avery E.</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Younger%2C+Jessica+W%2E%22">Younger, Jessica W.</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Anguera‐Singla%2C+Roger%22">Anguera‐Singla, Roger</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Anguera%2C+Joaquin+A%2E%22">Anguera, Joaquin A.</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Gazzaley%2C+Adam%22">Gazzaley, Adam</searchLink> (AUTHOR)
– Name: TitleSource
  Label: Source
  Group: Src
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Developmental+Science%22">Developmental Science</searchLink>. May2024, Vol. 27 Issue 3, p1-15. 15p.
– Name: Subject
  Label: Subjects
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Musical+meter+%26+rhythm%22">Musical meter & rhythm</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Executive+function%22">Executive function</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Rhythm%22">Rhythm</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Academic+ability%22">Academic ability</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Musical+instruments%22">Musical instruments</searchLink>
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Musical instrument training has been linked to improved academic and cognitive abilities in children, but it remains unclear why this occurs. Moreover, access to instrument training is not always feasible, thereby leaving less fortunate children without opportunity to benefit from such training. Although music‐based video games may be more accessible to a broader population, research is lacking regarding their benefits on academic and cognitive performance. To address this gap, we assessed a custom‐designed, digital rhythm training game as a proxy for instrument training to evaluate its ability to engender benefits in math and reading abilities. Furthermore, we tested for changes in core cognitive functions related to math and reading to inform how rhythm training may facilitate improved academic abilities. Classrooms of 8–9 year old children were randomized to receive either 6 weeks of rhythm training (N = 32) or classroom instruction as usual (control; N = 21). Compared to the control group, results showed that rhythm training improved reading, but not math, fluency. Assessments of cognition showed that rhythm training also led to improved rhythmic timing and language‐based executive function (Stroop task), but not sustained attention, inhibitory control, or working memory. Interestingly, only the improvements in rhythmic timing correlated with improvements in reading ability. Together, these results provide novel evidence that a digital platform may serve as a proxy for musical instrument training to facilitate reading fluency in children, and that such reading improvements are related to enhanced rhythmic timing ability and not other cognitive functions associated with reading performance. Research Highlights: Digital rhythm training in the classroom can improve reading fluency in 8–9 year old childrenImprovements in reading fluency were positively correlated with enhanced rhythmic timing abilityAlterations in reading fluency were not predicted by changes in other executive functions that support readingA digital platform may be a convenient and cost‐effective means to provide musical rhythm training, which in turn, can facilitate academic skills [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
– Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright
  Label:
  Group: Ab
  Data: <i>Copyright of Developmental Science is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=pbh&AN=176474144
RecordInfo BibRecord:
  BibEntity:
    Identifiers:
      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.1111/desc.13473
    Languages:
      – Code: eng
        Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 15
        StartPage: 1
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Musical meter & rhythm
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Executive function
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Rhythm
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Academic ability
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Musical instruments
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Digital rhythm training improves reading fluency in children.
        Type: main
  BibRelationships:
    HasContributorRelationships:
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Zanto, Theodore P.
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Giannakopoulou, Anastasia
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Gallen, Courtney L.
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Ostrand, Avery E.
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Younger, Jessica W.
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Anguera‐Singla, Roger
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Anguera, Joaquin A.
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Gazzaley, Adam
    IsPartOfRelationships:
      – BibEntity:
          Dates:
            – D: 01
              M: 05
              Text: May2024
              Type: published
              Y: 2024
          Identifiers:
            – Type: issn-print
              Value: 1363755X
          Numbering:
            – Type: volume
              Value: 27
            – Type: issue
              Value: 3
          Titles:
            – TitleFull: Developmental Science
              Type: main
ResultId 1