Music is important in daily life, and kids often consider listening and playing music playtime. Fun is good, but music teaches students so much more than just performance. Playing an instrument focuses fine and gross motor skills. It takes a lot of coordination and reinforces good posture. Many instruments, including voice, also require breath control. Beyond the physical, here are the benefits of music.
Music training, especially done early in life, leads to brain development for language and reasoning. This is a specific change in the left side of the brain, which processes language. Other things that music learning develops are standardized tests, math, science, spatial intelligence, and get higher grades. >Spatial intelligence helps students plan what they need for a day or form mental pictures in their heads.
Students must practice to learn craftsmanship. They learn details to identify the good from the average and apply that to their own music. Music is an art form where creativity is needed to find answers where more than one may be permitted and outdated rules or assumptions must be overturned. It is also a science where there is one answer: in tune or not, the right note at the right time or a mistake. Music learning also bridges between cultures by giving the student an inside view and teaching respect for others.
Benefits of music training extend far into the future. Teamwork skills and discipline lead to students who work together for one goal and each do their own practicing and group rehearsals to achieve that. Music focuses on action, rather than passive observation. Students also learn to cooperate and communicate. They overcome fear and take risks. These traits lead to a flexible mind that is in high demand in the workplace.
Learning music guides the student to self-expression. The student learns who he is at the core, and being in touch with himself leads to self-esteem.
When music teaches students so much, it is amazing that kids still find it fun and look forward to it. Take that playtime to give children something that will help them their entire lives and sign up for music lessons.
