As published by the Australian Council for Educational Research, scientists believe that music is the “food of neuroscience” (The Benefits of Music for the Brain, Sarah Wilson). By learning and practicing music, the brain develops in terms of cognitive processes, emotional expression, discipline, self-esteem, and social skills. While it is a common sentiment that learning an instrument is beneficial to children, we at Rythmico dove into the research behind musical education to see why it truly matters to encourage musical instruction in children.
Children grow and develop rapidly over their childhood, specifically in the area of cognition, or the mental process of acquiring knowledge. Cognitive development illustrates how children think, explore, and figure things out about themselves and the world around them. In the discipline of music, learning to read sheet music, playing instruments, and understanding musical theory requires the development of concentration, memory, and problem-solving skills in children. All of these skills engage the mind, body, and emotions, which are crucial to the development of children. According to a review published by Economic of Education, children with music training tend to have better school grades, are more diligent and thorough in their work ethic, are open to new experiences, and have high ambitions (How Learning a Musical Instrument Affects the Development of Skills, Adrian Hille and Jürgen Schupp). This translates to performing better in academic areas, such as mathematics. Similarly, singing and playing instruments can lend to vocabulary expansion and language comprehension through deciphering lyrics or understanding the meaning of songs.
Playing an instrument also lends to emotional expression and channeling emotions in a healthy and constructive way. Music provides an outlet for self-expression which can help children better understand and manage their feelings. Creating and studying music can be a therapeutic endeavor by releasing stress, anxiety, and pent-up emotions. Musical engagement overall promotes emotional well-being, as well as the acquisition of confidence and self-esteem. By performing in front of audiences or learning to master a musical instrument, children are able to boost their self-esteem and learn vital life skills such as public speaking, confidence when facing crowds, and self-assurance.
The struggle with time management and discipline is something every child or teenager has to face at some point of their lives. By learning an instrument, children must learn to schedule regular practice for improvement and therefore learn time management to balance music with academics and other extracurriculars. Time management teaches a child the value of commitment and consistency and allows them to reap the rewards of their hard work. Similarly, if music lessons and activities are practiced within a group setting, such as bands or choirs, children learn basic social skills and the importance of teamwork. Participating in a group activity teaches children how to cooperate, the importance of communication, and the ability to work in teams or groups. Children will grasp how to listen to others to collaborate and contribute to a collective goal.
Learning and practicing music can greatly improve your child’s well-being, social skills, emotional expression, and cognitive development to help them become socially and academically well-rounded. At Rythmico, we can help them achieve their musical goals with the help of our talented and vetted music tutors. We would love to be a part of your child’s musical journey and watch them grow to be the best individual that they can be! To sign up for lessons or browse the tutoring sessions that we offer, visit Rythmico.com and inquire for more details.
