How music can benefit your child - by Anna Michaelidou (reblogged)

1. Boost self-esteem and confidence
By encouraging your child to learn music, you are building a confidence in them that they may not have been able to gain elsewhere. For example, if your child has started taking piano lessons and he learns to play his first song, this immediately boosts his confidence.

I remember when my son first started his piano lessons at the age of six, and just a few months later he was so excited to be able to play piano in front of his friends at his birthday party. He was both confident and extremely proud of himself; and I couldn't have been prouder too!

2. Boosts Brain Power
Music has the power to build a child's imagination and curiosity thus boosting their brain power. It also requires counting notes and rhythm which can help a child with their Maths skills, whilst reading the notes and translating them into a finger position will help with comprehension and reading skills. More studies are linking music to better brain function and greater academic achievement.

3. Improves Social Skills
While children who learn to play musical instruments are developing a new skill, they are widening their social circles at the same time. Whether they have private one-to-one lessons or group tuition, they are likely to meet new friends, be it during lessons, at school, or at after-school classes.

Learning a new skill means they will have new topics to discuss in conversation, and having a passion for something will inspire them to talk, learn and interact with others. Improving their social skills will almost certainly be transferred into other aspects of their lives such as dealing with meeting new people, and more satisfying interaction with their existing circle of friends.

4. Develops Physical Skills
In the same way that children develop physical and motor skills through sports, they can develop these skills by practising a musical instrument. Their hand-eye coordination, the movement in certain parts of their bodies and the improvement of breathing techniques are to name but a few.

5. Improves Memory
Music is a wonderful world of notes and instruments and learning them can be a stimulating and challenging process for children. Music constantly encourages children to use their memory to perform leading to greater memorisation abilities in education and more.

6. Teaches Patience & Discipline
When learning to play an instrument, children must learn to be in time with the music, and play at the correct moments, so patience and discipline will start to come naturally to them. Moreover, children will need to practice regularly and have the discipline to master their musical instrument. In time your child will prosper and understand that although something might be difficult to begin with, perseverance will prove that nothing is impossible.

In addition, participating in group music activities like an orchestra or choir requires a child to wait their turn, teaching children patience, teamwork and discipline.

7. Improves Language & Academic Skills
Musical training can even help your child develop their language and academic skills - no, really! Music lessons have been found to develop the areas of the brain associated to language and reasoning. It is a fact that music and songs can imprint data and information better on young minds. By teaching children music we are promoting craftsmanship and a sense of accomplishment, and children will always want to create great work - something that can be applied to all subjects of study.

8. Introduces Other Cultures
Children learning music can often be more emotionally developed with empathy to other cultures. Music comes in a vast variety of genres from classical traditions to folk music and each piece of music usually has it's own storyline or background. By reflecting the times and places of the different musical pieces your child will encounter they are learning to appreciate other times and cultures.