Are you thinking about music lessons for your kids? Music lessons for kids have lasting benefits. I’m sure you’ve heard the benefits of playing an instrument or keeping music in our schools. But, music lessons for kids have benefits that will help them in almost all areas of their lives, and even throughout their lives. Keep reading to find out why your child should start music lessons today!
Academic
Music lessons have been linked in a number of studies to help kids’ in school. This is one of the reasons you may have heard of people fighting to keep music in public schools.
In my own teaching, one of my favourite memories is of a mom proudly showing me her 8 year old son’s report card, and how much his grades had improved since starting music lessons with me! His teacher even commented how he could sit still and focus much better.
For example, in one study researchers studied the IQ of groups of children in music lessons, as well as those in drama lessons and no arts lessons. The children in music lessons had bigger increases in IQ than any of the other groups.
Music lessons, especially playing an instrument, also improve general academic achievement and test scores for kids. For example, according to the American Psychological Association, students who took music lessons had higher test scores in all subjects, and those in high school who had played musical instruments for many years were a year ahead of their classmates in core subjects.
Finally, music lessons also boost memory skills. This will help your kids both now and throughout their entire lives. Memory is useful in memorizing facts learned in school, but also in retaining memory later in life.
I admit it might be a stretch to consider this a benefit of music for kids. However, the ability to play an instrument has been linked to a lower risk for dementia as an adult. By giving your kids the chance to take music lessons you’re giving them benefits that will last their entire lives. I can’t think of any gift better than that!
Language Skills
If you’ve played an instrument you can likely see the similarities between understanding and reading music and understanding and reading words.
A study done in Beijing showed better word discrimination in kindergarteners given piano lessons. However, you don’t necessarily need expensive private lessons to get the benefits of music lessons for kids.
Another study followed a group of kindergarteners for 2 years. They attended a lower cost weekly group music playschool. Even in this more play centered environment, they found improved language and vocabulary skills in the kids who attended the music class.
Emotional & Mental health
Have you ever listened to a certain song when you’ve had a bad day? If you play an instrument, do you ever sit down and play your favourite piece to relax at the end of the day?
Music reduces stress and anxiety. Nearly everyone, whether they’ve had formal music lessons or not, uses music to support their emotional and mental health sometimes.
Both making and listening to music can be calming for kids, as well as provide them with a positive coping skill to use.
Social skills & Teamwork
Music lessons for kids are often held in a group setting. Kids learn not just music but cooperation and the skills needed to listen to each other. Young children will learn to share musical instruments, and listen to the instructor. They will also listen to each other when clapping in time together, or singing, or moving as a group.
Older children taking instrument lessons also develop social skills playing duets. This requires just a huge amount of listening to each other and cooperation. Anyone who has never tried to play a duet would be amazed how much teamwork it takes to play even a simple one!
Playing in a band or singing in a choir is another example of how music gives opportunities to develop social skills and teamwork.
Creativity
Music lessons for kids encourage creativity. For example, creating their own music and free music play are just a couple of the creative activities that kids might experience in music classes. Kids learn best in a creative environment where they can experiment as they learn.
Music lessons don’t just provide the creative outlet though. Creativity and creative thinking are important skills to develop.
Creativity helps build problem solving skills. Kids who learn to think creatively are much more able to find solutions to their own problems and find ways around any obstacles they encounter.
Physical
Music lessons for kids might not bring to mind physical skills like sports would. Nonetheless, music classes help physical development for kids of all ages.
Music classes for preschoolers develop their gross motor skills. For example, songs and movement such as ‘The Hokey Pokey’ develop body awareness and coordination.
Movement activities for gross motor skills include clapping, marching, or dancing to music. Playing rhythm instruments like rhythm sticks, a tambourine or a drum also practice gross motor skills.
For older kids, music lessons develop their fine motor skills. Playing most instruments requires fine motor movements as well as individual finger control. Hand independence is also important in playing instruments, especially in the piano where both hands may do different tasks at the same time.
Check out these ideas for music and movement activities for preschoolers here.
Self-discipline & patience
Learning to play an instrument or read music takes a huge amount of patience. No one becomes an expert overnight. In fact, this is one of the biggest hurdles in continuing with music lessons for kids. Many people imagine themselves wowing others with a famous song in a week or two. In reality, progress is much more slow and steady. It also requires consistent practice to reach the reward of playing a new piece of music.
This degree of patience and self-discipline to practice each day isn’t something that kids always encounter in other areas of their lives. Rewards are often much quicker. As a result, kids who take music lessons develop the skills of patience, hard work, and perseverance.
Self-Confidence
Self-confidence is the result of a new skill that they’ve built with patience and hard work. Seeing progress and the results gives kids a sense of accomplishment and builds self-confidence.
Your child now has a skill and an ability that not everyone else has. And they got it by their own work. Music lessons for kids build up their belief that they can succeed.
Learning about other cultures and history
Music lessons also give kids a window into other cultures and time periods. Music has been a part of every country, culture, and historical period. A perfect way to introduce your kids to other times and places is to begin with their music. Maybe they will play and experience some of this music, or maybe just learn to appreciate a new style of music. Either way, explore new time and places, to learn not just a love of one type of music.
Sign up for the free email course, and learn about Mozart, jazz improvisation, how to try Inuit throat singing, and more!
Fun!
This benefit is self-explanatory, right?
Music is fun. Kids love to sing, and dance, and make music. Both playing and listening to music brings joy to our lives.
While not every moment of learning a new skill is fun (this is where self-discipline comes in), the result of playing music brings joy into kids’ lives.
Music Lessons for Kids – Why not start today?
There are so many ways your kids will benefit from music lessons. And many of the benefits will help them not just today but throughout their whole lives!
How will you get started today? Look for a local music teacher, a community class, or start with some simple lessons at home. If you’re not quite ready to commit to private lessons yet, the easiest way to start music lessons is with the free 5-day email course below. You’ll get a short 10 – 20 minute lesson with printable and video links delivered to your inbox each day!
One Response
It’s good to know that it can help with patience. My son is wanting to take drum lessons. I appreciate you helping me learn about the benefits of music lessons for kids.