Rhythmic-movement facilitation of learning in working-class Afro-American children

In this study, we examined whether the cognitive performance of working-class Afro-American children could be enhanced based upon a presumed knowledge of the Black cultural experience. Children (6 and 9 years old) learned to match each of 12 pairs of pictures via a rhythmic movement-coordinated procedure accompanied by a musical beat or through a rote recitation procedure. It was expected and found that subsequent retention of the picture matches was superior in the rhythmic movement condition. Moreover, for the younger children, the effect was stronger for those who came from homes providing high stimulation and who had high levels of movement expressiveness.