Do you know the benefits of involving children in musical activities from an early age? When is the right time to enroll a child in music school? Which instrument should the child choose? Which music school should a child enroll in? Are you worried about high instrument prices? What if the child does not want to exercise?
There are many questions that arise for parents when deciding to enroll a child in music school, and there are even more benefits that attending music school brings.
Did you know that a child is supposed to perceive the first sounds already between 16 -18. a week in pregnancy? After the 24th week, when the ears develop so much, the baby already responds to sounds from the surroundings. So the baby already recognizes the mother’s voice in the womb and also responds to the music we play. Music calms, stimulates movement and stimulates the heartbeat.
Most of us play music to our children. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that, as Jeremy Summerly, a British conductor and lecturer at the Royal Academy of Music, says every father also wants his son to cheer for his favorite football team.
Or maybe with this we can shape a child’s taste for music? Some children will follow the things their parents love, others will do the exact opposite.
The task of parents is not to limit their children to listening to only one type of music, but also to acquaint them with different styles. Children are open to all sounds and listen to music of different styles.
Allow them to listen to folk music and classical music, which will also have a positive effect on the development of children’s brains, e.g. Mozart – The Mozart Effect is a study by scientists in different parts of the world regarding the impact of Mozart’s music on our brains. You can see more about this in a short article on the RTV SLO – IN BRIEF link.
Why enroll a child in music school?
The offer of various activities for children has grown significantly in the last few years. Which activities will help a child the most in development and success in life is an important question that every parent asks. Why would you decide to enroll your child in music school during a flood of courses, sports activities and learning?
In the following lines, we will present the positive effects of playing the instrument and the important role of involving the child in musical activities from an early age in many areas of child development.
Despite the fact that not all professional musicians will continue their music careers after finishing primary music school, music lessons and classical music play a very important role in your child’s overall development.
Below we have summarized just a few of the main benefits of music education:
Development of coordination and motor skills
Playing an instrument requires the movement of the arms or even the arms and legs at the same time. Playing each instrument requires simultaneous different actions with the left and right hand. Improving the coordination of hand, finger and posture movements prepares children for other hobbies such as dancing and sports
Improves academic skills and increases IQ
Music and math are very intertwined. By understanding rhythm and scales, children learn to divide, create fractions, and recognize patterns.
It affects the ability to remember. According to dr. Laurel Trainor, a professor of psychology, neuroscience and behavior at McMaster University, “Young children who take music lessons show different brain development and improved memory in one year, compared to children who do not have a music education.”
Increases IQ. Numerous studies (such as the 2004 study by E. Glenn Schellenberg) have shown that IQ in children increases due to even a few weeks of music. Brain activity increases after music training, some parts of the brain also increase. Unlike many other activities, playing an instrument helps to develop both sides of the brain at the same time.
Improves social skills
When children play in a group, it is important to cooperate and communicate with each other in order to achieve a common goal. In music schools, they often combine different instruments (eg piano accompanies the flute or violin), and many works are also written for several instruments at the same time. Teamwork teaches children patience, tolerance and peer encouragement.
It perfects discipline and patience
Playing an instrument teaches children to persevere through hours, months, and sometimes years of practice before reaching certain goals, such as performing with a band or performing solo. Learning an instrument requires hours of concentration and patience. For example, the violin has a steep learning curve. Before you can hear a single sound, you must first learn how to hold a violin, how to hold a bow, and where to place your feet. Children need to be persistent even if things don’t go well, which is an invaluable skill for all areas of life.
It increases self-confidence
By playing an instrument, children learn to accept criticism and constructively criticize themselves and others they listen to. In particular, group lessons and performances can help children understand that no one, including themselves or their peers, is perfect and that everyone has room for improvement. Performing in public is an important skill, whether you become a professional musician or not, but it helps boost self-confidence.
Reduces stress
Numerous studies show that music reduces stress in both the short and long term. It helps us relax and forget about our problems for a while. Music also helps emotional development, as we can express our emotions through music.
