Why children need music education -

From improving memory to enhancing problem-solving skills and even setting them up for success in non-music areas, music education is the way to go for many parents and their children.

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Enhances cognitive development - Learning and playing a musical instrument increases your child’s brain power and functionality, thereby resulting in a boosted IQ and improved concentration.

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Boosts academic performance -

Children who study music often perform better in school. Studies show that kids who study music get higher grades, are more literate, and are a whopping 24% more likely to graduate.

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Improves motor skills -

Playing an instrument like the piano, guitar, or violin calls for different actions from both hands at the same time. These multi-use scenarios help develop complex motor skills in children.

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Strengthens memory - Music education can help with fostering improved memory in children and people of all ages, really. Whether your child engages in a voice class or is learning to play an instrument, the study of music is an intelligence booster.

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Promotes emotional expression - Through music, children can channel their emotions and communicate them in a safe way and without any words.

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Enhances hand-eye coordination -

Practicing music, namely playing an instrument, can drastically help improve the hand-eye coordination of children. They get used to certain movements resulting in particular sounds and it trains their brains accordingly.

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Enhances social skills -

Skills like collaboration and communication are learned and enhanced through music education. Kids learn to work with others, such as in a band or ensemble, as well as how and when to best communicate amongst one another.

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Improves listening skills -

For children, music education and listening to music can help improve their listening. They have to be able to tell when an instrument isn’t in tune or be able to identify when they should start singing in certain songs according to only the sounds.

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Supports math skills -

While children are studying music, they are also developing pattern awareness and counting skills, two essential pieces of knowledge for excelling in mathematics.

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Fosters creativity -

From what they want to learn to attempting to play it in various ways, music allows children to get creative in multiple ways. Creativity is the flavor of life and teaching children it’s okay to express themselves in such a way is incredibly important.

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Builds self-confidence -

Children who engage in music education are able to build confidence in themselves and what they can achieve. For example, with presenting music, there comes skills such as overcoming fear, which can contribute to being self-confident in the long term.

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Teaches goal setting - Children who want to learn music are taught to set goals such as improving or mastering an instrument or hitting a specific note when singing. Goal setting is an essential life skill for kids as they grow.

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Encourages teamwork -

If a child plays music in a group setting or practices with a teacher, it promotes teamwork. The child will learn that their individual efforts directly affect the group and overall sound of the music.

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Facilitates emotional regulation -

Engaging with music allows children to express their emotions and cope with stress, promoting better emotional awareness and control.

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Improves language skills -

Children will learn to discern sound patterns and rhythms within music, and this translates to an enhanced ability to recognize and use different aspects of language.

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Promotes cultural awareness -

Learning about different types of music and the places where they come from helps children develop a curiosity and appreciation for different cultures and the people who comprise them.

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Reduces stress -

Studies show that music reduces stress and anxiety, thereby promoting well-being and an improvement in the healthy development of children.

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Improves attention span -

Music is such a powerful tool. One reason music education helps is that music itself can increase the brain’s production of dopamine, and with increased dopamine comes increased attention, especially for children with ADHD.

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Improves patience and perseverance -

Music education, especially learning to play an instrument, can take a lot of time, effort, and patience. For children to progress in their skills, they must learn that skills take time to build but eventually practice will pay off.

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Increases self-discipline -

Children learn that music and being good at music takes practice. They will soon realize that the amount of practice they engage in will have a direct correlation to how good their music sounds.

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Encourages self-expression -

Playing music means a child can creatively and uniquely express themselves. This will help them gain a sense of self-awareness and fine tune the communication of their feelings.

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Encourages time management -

Balancing music practice with other activities helps children develop effective time management skills, prioritizing tasks and efficiently managing their schedules.

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Enhances problem-solving skills -

Learning music requires children to interpret complex patterns and rhythms, fostering their ability to think critically and solve problems creatively.

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Builds a sense of belonging - Music education can give kids something to believe in spite of other struggles they may encounter. They know that their music is important, and that helps them feel important, too.

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Provides a sense of achievement -

Mastering a musical piece or learning a certain skill offers children tangible rewards and boosts their confidence, instilling a sense of pride.

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Promotes responsibility -

Regular practice and looking after musical instruments teaches children the importance of commitment and accountability, which are key components of responsibility.

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Teaches the value of practice and hard work -

Children will see that as they practice, they get increasingly better. With time and hard work, the they will sound and feel even better.

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Promotes lifelong learning -

Early exposure to music education helps with a child’s holistic growth and promotes learning. They will see how it's possible to master one thing, and it can help inspire them to master another such as a second language or a sport.

Sources: (Pearson) (MusicTeacherNotes) (East End Arts) (Merit School of Music) (Stage Music Center) (Prodigies Music)

See also: Emergency drills you should practice with your kids

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