Advances in Music, Language and Cognition: Sensitive Periods and Singing

Dear Colleagues,

The intriguing notion of critical periods during which neural connections rapidly form to support language development has been subject to debate since Wilder Penfield first introduced the concept 65 years ago. Despite the fact that discussion has been focused primarily on first and second language acquisition, recent research has begun to consider parallels with the development of neural systems to encode music, a rule-based system that serves important functions across the course of life. Further parallels are seen in speech and singing as natural forms of vocal communication, each of which may be subject to critical periods during which windows of opportunity may be opened and then gated. Recent advances in behavioral research methodologies and brain imaging techniques have made it possible to address the questions of critical periods in language and music in new ways. Therefore, this Special Issue, entitled Advances in Music, Language, and Cognition: Sensitive Periods and Singing”, focuses on evidence and theory associated with the topic of critical periods for the acquisition of verbal and musical understanding and production. Papers are welcome that address either language or music, alone or in combination. A combined focus could entail a developmental study of linguistic and non-linguistic (tone sequence) perception in the same studies or on the verbal and non-verbal tonal aspects of song perception or production. This Special Issue will bring together a collection of articles that addresses the longstanding debate on critical periods for the acquisition of language from the context of music and singing acquisition. Papers are welcome if they address either speech/verbal-related or music/singing-related topics, and they are also welcome if both domains are addressed in the same paper. Both behavior and brain-imaging papers directed at any lifespan stage are welcome, and purely theoretical review articles will also be considered; however, new empirical research with theoretical implications will be a priority.

Kind regards,

Prof. Dr. Annabel Joan Cohen
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Brain Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• sensitive period or sensitive/critical period
• critical period
• language development
• language acquisition
• music cognition
• music development
• music acquisition
• neuroplasticity
• speech
• singing
• statistical learning