Boosting Focus and Behavior with Background Music
Playing soft, instrumental music in the classroom can be a powerful tool for improving focus and regulating noise levels. Many stories have shown a correlation between music and enhanced concentration, particularly for students with ADHD, but recent research by Northeastern University music professor Psyche Loui provides evidence of causation. This means music isn’t just associated with better attention—it actively helps improve it. The rhythmic and predictable nature of instrumental music can stimulate the brain in a way that promotes sustained attention and reduces distractions.
Additionally, background music serves as an effective classroom management strategy. When students know they should be able to hear the music at all times, they naturally regulate their own volume, preventing excessive noise and disruptions. It also creates a more structured learning environment, where students feel calmer and more prepared to focus on their work. By incorporating non-lyric, calming music, teachers can enhance student engagement, improve productivity, and foster a peaceful classroom atmosphere that supports all learners.
A teacher I work with swears this station helps her students focus more.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wirJqJBPLfw