9 Reasons Why Children Should Play Music #GuestPost

9 Reasons Why Children Should Play Music

Coming from the kitchen is a loud clattering of pots, pans and spoons. Then comes a crash. You run down to see what’s happened. Your child is sat on the floor, along with half of your kitchen, merrily banging away on a pan. In that very moment you might not be likening your child to Ringo Starr, but creativity has to start somewhere, and it’s usually a messy process. So, just before reacting, consider instead the creative musical impulses at play and buy your child a drum kit (you might want to start off digital, headphones can save you a lot of headache).

Your daughter may or may not be the next Mozart musical prodigy, no matter, open your child’s natural curiosity to a world of sound and wonder. Playing music is beneficial for numerous, invaluable reasons. Playing music may lead to an inspiring career, or may just encourage a child to discover new passions and possibilities. Here are just some of the benefits of learning to play music.

Music is about sharing

Music is best played in ensemble. While a child might grudgingly practice their instrument, motivation can be highly elevated when they play and share music with other children. Joining a band or an orchestra is a great after-school activity. Playing music with others is a fantastic way the brain learns about social dynamics such as cooperation. In an orchestra or ensemble, there is no music if the group doesn’t function as a whole. 

Play music to stay fit

Many people will be surprised to find that making music starts with the body. Your body is the generator of sound, movement, and rhythm; music teaches its participants to listen to their bodies. Playing music is physical, so keep your child fit. Sports and music are not mutually exclusive!

Playing music is all about listening

Eighty percent of playing is about listening. Listening to your body, and listening to others. Music is about being attentive to your environment. Playing music is great for kids because their world will be shaped by empathy. 

Learn music to learn language

You’ve probably heard it a million times; music is good for the brain. Be wary of what you read online. When it comes to health claims be careful. Always read the science behind it before you buy. Music and the brain is a well-researched topic. To find out more on language acquisition and the brain, tune into NPR’s All Things Considered – This is your brain. This is your brain on music. 

Community 

Playing music is about sharing a creative experience. We learn through a shared experience. Making music might be the ultimate collaboration. 

Perseverance 

Practice takes practice. Sound a bit off the wall? Practicing is boring! It’s frustrating and it’s messy too. We all wish we could make progress without working at it. With some talent we sometimes cheat and get by, but like everything in life music takes hard work and dedication. As you well know, being a kid is all about hard work and sweat. Nuh-uh, but there’s nothing wrong with breaking a little sweat in order to accomplish your best. 

Perform

Performing is the big nerve blender. It’s the dread of every music-playing child - and many adults. What if questions pop up all over the place. What if I make mistakes? What if people hate the music? What if I embarrass myself? But the question it really boils down to is: what if I’m not good enough? If you practice well and do your best, you’re always good enough. Playing music for others exposes us to our deepest self-doubt. It’s not about making mistakes, it’s about others seeing us as anything less than perfect. And that what’s great about playing, and performing music. It humbles, but also teaches the value of confidence and self-worth.

Do it all, all at once

Learning music is learning to multitask. Fingers need to be in the right position, curved – never forced. How is my posture? That last bar should be played pizzicato. Watch 16th rest. Am I putting the right emotion into it? The conductor wants us to repeat measures 35 through 68. You’re doubling the violin part, you’ll need to be in sync. Am I flat on that Bb?

Create a practice space

As we mentioned before, practicing is not fun, but it is necessary. Creating a quiet space that’s not the bedroom, and not the living room where the television is blaring the news – is important for anyone, especially a child living in a world of distractions. We all need quiet space to do our work, even if we don’t always get it. If you have the space, keep a room free, keep it empty – the simpler the space, the less the mind drifts!

Guest Post Brought to You By:

They say that playing Mozart will make your baby smarter. That’s probably not true, but it can’t hurt. The Kids Window is a market leader in creative kid’s furniture and imaginative gifts. We recommend developing your child’s creativity and musical abilities.