Do piano lessons make children smarter? This question has intrigued scientists, parents, and educators for decades. Studies have shown that, yes, they do increase children's cognitive abilities, and in many more ways than previously believed. At its most basic level, the piano requires you to make connections between your brain (or your memory of the keys and their associated notes) and your hands, which are often performing two separate functions at the same time. That takes a lot of brainpower!

But research has shown that the benefits of piano lessons go much deeper than boosted brainpower. Increased emotional maturity, higher IQs, and above-average test scores are just the tip of the iceberg. In order to demonstrate how truly beneficial piano lessons are for children, we've made an infographic explaining the results of all this research. You don't have to be a scientist to see that taking piano lessons as a child gives you a greater chance of success. After all, it worked for Albert Einstein!