Whether we play it or listen to it, music is an art form that benefits us all.
And music has been proven to be especially beneficial to children.
Instruments don’t just bring pleasure to a child, it’s a skill that they will have for the rest of their lives. The more things children learn at a young age, the better chance that they will stick with them for the rest of their lives.
Music education doesn’t have to involve any specific type of instrument. Your child might want to be an electric guitarist for a rock band or play the flute for a school concert. All instruments can have fantastic benefits on a child’s development.
With that in mind, let’s get into the nine music education benefits.
Benefits of Music Education
1. Music Improves Academic Skills
Though it may not be obvious right away, music and basic education are related.
- Your child will learn to understand beats, rhythm, and scales, which translates to learning the basics of how to recognize patterns. Recognizing patterns is a key element of math.
- Music is believed to wire your child’s brain to better understand mathematic principles such as division and fractions.
- Song memorization is linked to being able to memorize text, making studying easier for your child and improving test scores.
Encouraging your child to learn an instrument can set them up for success throughout their schooling and their life.
2. Certain Instruments Improve Coordination
Learning to play an instrument can improve your child’s coordination.
- Percussion helps your child develop coordination and motor skills because they must learn to move their hands, arms, and feet at the same time.
- String instruments require moving both hands in different ways at the same time. This develops coordination and an understanding of timing.
- Improved coordination can help your child with other skills like sports and dance.
Developing coordination at a young age can help your child with necessities, like driving, later in life.
3. Music Lessons Help Your Child Develop Social Skills
Music lessons can help your child develop social skills in several ways.
- Working with a teacher one-on-one encourages the building of communication skills and the understanding of verbal instructions.
- Learning in a group setting allows your child to interact with other children in a meaningful and collaborative way.
- Knowing about music gives your child a topic they can discuss with like-minded people later in life.
It’s incredibly important that your child develops social skills as they will be needed for most aspects of adult life.
4. Your Child Will Learn Discipline And Patience
When your child learns how to play an instrument, they also learn valuable lessons about discipline and patience.
- They learn that if they want to improve, they have to practice regularly, even if they don’t feel like it.
- Depending on their instrument, your child may even have to wait to learn how to play. For example, if your child plays the violin, they’ll have to learn how to properly hold the instrument before they can begin playing.
- The slow nature of learning an instrument teaches your child that they’ll sometimes have to wait for what they want but that it’ll be worth it.
Discipline and patience are lessons that everyone has to learn. Give your child a headstart by having them learn an instrument.
5. Children Can Learn About Other Cultures Through Music
By learning about and playing instruments, your child can begin to understand how music plays a critical role in other cultures.
- Bongos and timbales can introduce your child to Cuban and African styles of music.
- Your child can learn about classical German and Austrian music through the violin.
- The piano can teach your child about a variety of music, including jazz and classical, which are popular in many places in the world.
Exposure to music leads to exposure to culture; Which then leads to more understanding, curiosity, and compassion later in life.
6. Music Leads To An Interest In Other Art Forms
Learning about music can help your child develop an interest in other art forms such as:
- Writing. Your child will learn about reading and composing music which can translate to learning to write lyrics or compositions.
- Your child will also be learning about the music of other cultures, which could lead to wanting to know more about those cultures’ other art forms.
- Many of the musicians your child will learn about were skilled in painting, writing, and other arts. This could inspire your child to want to be a master of many art forms as well.
Music can be a gateway to many new creative outlets and experiences for your child.
7. The Accomplishment Involved In Learning An Instrument Boosts Self-Esteem
Music lessons create a place where your child can learn to accept and give constructive criticism. This allows them to learn to:
- Turn negative feedback into a positive change in the way that they perform.
- Accept that no one can always be right and that no one is perfect.
- Develop public speaking skills early in life.
- Have a higher sense of self-esteem because they understand that their value isn’t just in what they do right.
Boosting self-esteem in your child will lead to a higher level of happiness as an adult.
8. Learning An Instrument Can Lead To More Opportunities
Learning to play an instrument early in life can give your child more opportunities later on.
- They can find scholarships related to music to go to college.
- They can give lessons or play music professionally to earn money.
- They can use their knowledge of music as a basis to learn how to record music and become an audio engineer.
Music is a skill that can open many doors for your child, so help them by giving them the key.
9. Playing Music Reduces Stress
Music can enhance brain function, slow heart rate, lower blood pressure, and reduce stress.
- Stringed instruments, drums, and flutes are all instruments that can help your child release stress through the power of music.
- Music that contains 60 beats per minute can force the brain to enter a relaxed state.
- It is believed that listening to music can have the same effect as taking medication to change brain functioning.
Learning to play music will be good for your child on all levels.
Where Can My Child Get Music Lessons?
So, now that you’re convinced of the benefits of teaching your child how to play an instrument, you may be wondering where should I go for music lessons?
There, there are 3 main options here. Let’s go over them one by one.
In-Person Lessons
In-person lessons tend to be the most popular option for children, as they offer the most engaging and personal experience.
Most children typically need more structure and discipline than what virtual lessons typically provide. In-person lessons provide a more direct and hands-on approach to learning.
In-person lessons also allow the instructor to provide immediate feedback and corrections, as well as demonstrate techniques and skills in real-time.
You can find teachers in your local area, or even inquire at music stores or music schools.
Online Lessons
Online lessons offer the convenience of being able to learn from the comfort of your own home.
Although online lessons might be a bit harder to truly get your child engaged, they are a much more cost effective approach to teaching kids music.
There are even online music platforms specifically dedicated to teaching kids how to play a certain instrument. Hoffman Academy for example specialized in teaching kids how to play the piano.
Online tutors can be also found through websites such as TakeLessons, or through video streaming services such as Skype or FaceTime.
If you’re curious about which online platforms are the best for learning how to play specific instruments, check out these guides below:
12 Best Online Guitar Lessons In 2022 (Get Started for Free)
The 10 Best Online Bass Lessons – Learn Bass Guitar FAST
14 Best Online Piano Lessons In 2022 (Compared & Ranked)
12 Best Online Singing Lessons: Sing Like the Pros (2022)
9 Best Online Drum Lessons of 2022: Play Drums Like a Pro!
8 Best Online Violin Lessons That Actually Work (2022)
9 Best Online Ukulele Lessons In 2022 (Ranked & Compared)
YouTube
YouTube is another great way to get started with playing an instrument. The platform offers a TON of free educational content and your child will have enough material to study for eternity.
The problem with YouTube however is that it lacks structure. It can be difficult to know which video they should watch next to further their skills.
Final Thoughts
Music education in schools has many benefits. It encourages creativity and self-expression, develops problem-solving and critical thinking skills, and can even help improve academic performance.
Music also helps create a sense of connection and community, enhances physical and mental wellbeing, and encourages collaboration and teamwork.
These nine reasons are only a sampling of why your child can benefit from getting involved in music at an early age. Do some research on your own and see for yourself how life-changing the decision can be.
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