Children and parents are all very busy so it is difficult to add music lessons to an already long list of activities. If you are trying to decide what activities are best for your child you should take note of the benefits of music lessons. They may not become the next Beethoven, but your child may find it easier to learn math, good manners (patience included), and be a good team player. Here are more benefits of music lessons and music education.
1. Music Improves Academic Skills
Music is a version of math. When your child understands beat, rhythm, and scales they can learn to divide, create fractions and recognize patterns. Music helps your child’s brain understand math better. Most people remember songs as a method of memorization. Music classes introduce your child to basic physics too. Plucking strings on a guitar or violin teach a child about harmonic and sympathetic vibrations.
2. Music Develops Physical Skills
Percussive instruments like drums help children develop coordination and motor skills. Many instruments require movement of hands, arms and feet. String and keyboard instruments require different actions from the right and left hands simultaneously.
Music also teaches children to become comfortable in naturally uncomfortable positions which also prepares them for dance and other sports.
3. Music Improves Social Skills
Group classes encourage teamwork. A child learns that playing too loudly or going too quickly makes them out of sync with the group. In some classes teachers split students into groups and encourage them to chose an instrument or create a melody. Students then have to work together to solve the problem and create something beautiful.
4. Music Teaches Discipline and Patience
Music does not instantly produce a beautiful song. Children learn about delayed gratification. For some instruments, like the violin, other movements must be learned before the student even makes a sound. They have to learn how to hold the violin, how to hold the bow, and where to place their feet.
We have learned that private lessons or short, frequent practices at home (10 minutes at a time) are the best way to learn. Children learn patience too, by taking part in group lessons where they have to wait their turn to play.
5. Music Boosts Self-Esteem
A child who learns music has to learn to take constructive criticism. They learn that negative feedback is an opportunity to build upon. Group lessons in particular teach children that not everyone is perfect and everyone has room for improvement.
So why not sign your child up now.
