Parenting Guide

5 ways music can benefit your child

Published by SchoolAdvisor | Nov 03, 2016

Studies have shown that learning to play an instrument can enhance your child’s need for education and improve social interaction.   

1. Music can boost their brain power

Learning to play a musical instrument can have a lasting effect on your child. According to Jessica Grahn, a neuroscientist from the University of Western Ontario, children who took up piano lessons for a year- accompanied by consistent practice - saw an IQ bump as high as three points!

2. Music improves their memory

“I don’t remember where I put my shoe!” Heard that complain far too many times, parents? Help your child remember and learn even more with the help of music! Further research has shown that children, who are exposed to music from a young age generally, have better memory and learning ability due to the developmental pattern of the brain.

3. Music helps children to be social butterflies!

Very often, parents are faced with the challenge of getting their children to talk and mingle with other kids. Well, music can do wonders to help your child break free from their social shell! Marturet from the MISO Young Artist program in Florida said that, children who are involved in a musical group learn many important social and life skills such as, how to relate to others and how to work collectively as a team as well as developing discipline and leadership skills.

4. Music is a confidence builder

As your child learns how to play an instrument, and gets better and better at it, it serves as a confidence booster especially when they receive positive reinforcements from their music teachers. Not only that, as most music schools have year-end concerts, the opportunity to play in front of a live audience can do wonders to build your child’s confidence.

5. Music teaches patience

In a world of instant gratification, it is rather difficult to have patience. When your child is playing in an orchestra or a band (most musicians do), they must be willing to wait for their turn or they could potentially mess up the sequence. That inadvertently teaches patience. Also, learning a new piece of song requires heaps of practice which also requires a lot of patience. 

Help your child gain the best through music! After all, what is life without a little music, right?