When your child learns an instrument, they're learning much more than how to play music.
Learning piano, guitar, drums, violin or another instrument involves concentration, memory, problem-solving and perseverance - skills that can also be useful in the classroom.
But does that mean music lessons make children better academically?
Research doesn't show that learning an instrument automatically leads to better grades or higher intelligence. However, there is evidence that musical training can support certain skills involved in learning, particularly aspects of attention, working memory and self-control.
Learning an instrument requires children to pay attention to several things at once.
They might be reading music, listening to their teacher, keeping a rhythm and thinking about what comes next.
Over time, lessons and practice give children regular opportunities to develop sustained attention and focus - skills that are useful when tackling homework or concentrating in class.
Music is a great workout for memory.
Children learn to remember notes, rhythms, chords, lyrics and whole sections of music. They then need to recall that information at exactly the right moment.
Working memory is also important for learning at school, from following instructions to solving problems.
Learning an instrument isn't always easy.
A child might struggle with a particular rhythm or section of a song. Instead of simply giving up, they're encouraged to slow it down, break it into smaller parts and try again.
That process teaches children how to approach challenges - a skill that can be applied to everything from maths problems to homework.
Perhaps one of the biggest lessons music teaches is that improvement takes time.
A child won't master an instrument after one lesson. They have to practise, make mistakes, learn from them and keep going.
That experience can help children understand that finding something difficult doesn't mean they can't do it. Progress often comes from consistent effort.
It's important not to overstate the evidence.
Learning an instrument isn't a shortcut to better grades, and research hasn't established that music lessons directly make children better at subjects such as maths or reading.
What music can provide is something equally valuable: regular practice in skills that support learning - concentration, memory, self-control, problem-solving and perseverance.
Because learning an instrument isn't just about learning music. It's about learning how to learn.
