However, the study in the UK uncovered no links between babies listening to music and increased intelligence or brain development. Another experiment at the University of California at Irvine compared the puzzle-solving abilities of 3-year-olds who were given piano lessons with the ability of others who sang, used computers, or did nothing. The children studying piano were better at the puzzles. Also, high school students with a musical background seem to do better on their SATs. (Cromie, “How Your Brain Listens to Music”) Whether it’s natural intelligence that helps the children excel in both music and math, or the music that helps develop other areas, you can’t deny the benefits of a musical background.