Are you looking for an activity that boosts your child’s creative expression, builds community, and inspires a stronger sense of self? Music lessons will not only contribute to the development of these skills, but above all, provide enjoyment. While there are many benefits of music lessons for children of all ages, here are some of the top reasons to enroll your child in lessons this year.
1) Builds Confidence
There’s nothing quite like watching your child’s eyes light up when they learn a familiar melody, like Happy Birthday, within the first few weeks of playing an instrument. Accomplishing realistic goals early on in their musical journey can help build confidence in their ability to learn a new skill, and this confidence will spill over into other aspects of their life, laying a great foundation for success in other extracurriculars, and even in school.
2) Provides A Safe Space to Express Emotions
Sometimes big emotions are best expressed through nonverbal outlets, and music can be a great tool for communication. The physical act of hitting a drum, pressing a piano key, strumming a guitar, or belting a note can provide a release for feelings that are difficult to communicate through words. The act of playing music is one that is extremely cathartic. There’s a reason that music therapy exists!
3) Promotes Collaboration and Teamwork
In a group setting, music classes are a great way for students to work together towards a common goal without the element of competition that is found in other activities like sports. For example, group songwriting is a great way for students to collaborate and get creative, and often leads to building friendships within the class. In private lessons, the teacher and student often work together to design lesson plans that suit the student’s interests, and work as a team to accomplish the goals they set.
4) Helps Motor Skill Development
Music can be as physically challenging as it is mentally challenging. Whether behind the drum kit, at the piano, or sitting with a guitar, both hands (and even multiple limbs!) are involved in the physical movement of playing the instrument, helping develop your child’s motor skills. The more they practice, the more these movements are written into their muscle memory.
5) Brings joy
Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, music lessons bring joy! Time and time again, studies show that listening to music and playing music decreases stress, and who wouldn’t want that? Taking lessons is guaranteed to increase your child’s appreciation of music, and regardless of what they do or don’t accomplish, the enjoyment they’ll receive from the activity is well worth it.
Genna Projansky
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