A Behavioral Brain Research Journal study concluded that kids who take music lessons at school perform better than those who don’t. Reasons for this include better cognitive skills, a higher level of concentration, and improved memory retention. However, many skeptics argue that children who are good at music are simply “more intelligent” than those who aren’t. As a result, this higher level of intelligence is the differentiating factor, not the music class itself.
This might be true. However, one thing is certain: music will not harm children, it will not have any negative physical nor psychological effect on their lives. The benefits of starting music lessons at a young age far outweigh the cons. Some of them are:
Music Helps Children Socialize
Many children around the world are shy and struggle to make friends. By taking music lessons at school, they can not only discover or enhance a natural talent but also build wonderful, long-lasting relationships in a positive, friendly learning environment. Music brings people together, whether by listening, singing, or playing an instrument. For a child, being a part of a choir or a school band is an excellent chance to develop a sense of belonging, of being part of a group.
Learning how to socialize and build meaningful relationships at a young age is incredibly important for a child. These valuable skills will not only help them throughout their school lives but also when they enter the labor force and start working.
One thing to note though is the importance of the music teacher. While the right guitar, piano, or violin instructor will create wonders in your child’s life, the wrong one might not only cause harm to your children but even put them off music altogether.
Music Builds Teamwork
Music is also a great way for kids to develop teamwork skills. The reasons are plenty:
- Kids who join a band learn the value of working together towards a common goal.
- In most cases, more talented children are open to helping those who are struggling.
- Music builds camaraderie and support for one another.
- Unlike most sports, the teamwork aspect of music disregards gender. Both boys and girls can take part in music activities together, regardless of age.
Music Provides Useful, Transferable Skills
Playing an instrument well is not easy. It requires patience, dedication, effort, and time. Throughout this process, a person will develop a wide range of skills. Physical skills include improved motor function, hand-eye coordination, dexterity, and flexibility. These are essential skills in other areas of life including sports, engineering, science, and mathematics. Music also makes people more creative and better at problem-solving, among others. These are highly useful for careers in business, marketing, management, and finance.
As we have seen, there are plenty of benefits to starting music at a young age. Music helps children socialize, builds teamwork, and provides transferable skills that will be useful throughout a child’s life. As always, it is best to look at different schools and teachers so you can find the best ones. So do your research and give your child the best chance for future success.
