The joys of listening to music are universal. It’s hard to stop your toes tapping or your fingers clicking along when you hear a great beat, and it can really bring people together – whatever your background or home situation everyone can enjoy music. You may have even started your child’s love for music while they were still in the womb, by playing Bach or Beethoven to them in your belly. There are, however, other excellent reasons beyond pure enjoyment that your children should learn a musical instrument. Below are five of the best:
- Good for mental health.In these times where study after study shows a rise in anxiety, depression and mental health issues in children and young people, it’s vital to look for ways to calm anxious minds and provide therapeutic activities that can help reduce stress. Classical instruments such as violins and cello brings relaxation to senses as well. For your children to enjoy learning to play such instruments, you need to find high quality ones. Bows are also important as this helps to bring out the richness of music. Purchase a Codabow for a smoother music that will not only make your children enjoy learning, but will also make you enjoy listening to them as they play.
- Fosters lifelong talents. By encouraging your child to learn an instrument, you are opening up talents that can last them a lifetime. It’s important to find a trusted teacher who will nurture your child as an individual and help them reach their musical goals, for example, Chatalbash Lessons offer fun and engaging piano lessons to truly help your child develop and sustain their love of playing music.
- A great alternative to screen time.Our children are surrounded by screens, from phones to laptops, TVs to tablets, video games to DVDs, and these technology-based babysitters can be both a blessing and a curse. Playing computer games can benefit children in terms of developing spatial awareness and improving reaction time, but being attached to a screen all the time can have a negative impact in terms of stopping children exploring the natural world, playing together and being physically active. However, playing a musical instrument can improve social networks as your child can join an orchestra or band, another excellent way to heighten self-esteem too.
- Boosts creativity and allows children to express themselves. Creativityis not only a wonderful way to explore the world and play, but it is also a great skill to foster in terms of providing children with more options later in life. Creative minds are innovators, those who are willing to experiment and invent new ways of being. Mozart, Einstein, Picasso, Steve Jobs, these are all creative geniuses and nurturing creativity from a young age can help your child to fulfil their potential as adults.
- Improves memory.Learning an instrument from an early age can help improve a child’s ability to remember things, which in turn can help improve their other studies. Research indicates that learning music can help improve academic achievement, especially in subjects such as maths. Repeated regular activity where your child can make obvious progress, for example being able to play a tune on the piano where three weeks previously they could not, also helps boost their confidence. What’s not to love?