1. Stress Reliever
Music provides a healthy outlet for stress. Whether your child is pounding out a killer drum solo or belting their favorite ballad they are releasing pent up stress. Music education provides the resources – and the opportunity – to let out stress in a positive way.
2. Teamwork
Children that participate in band, orchestra, choir, or other musical activities reap social benefits. Working as a team to create music fosters a sense of belonging and encourages children to work together.
3. Increased attention span
According to a 2007 study by the Stanford University School of Medicine*, listening to music focuses the brain. After monitoring participants’ brains, the study found that the parts of the brain that were most engaged while listening were associated with attention and memory.
4. Time Management
Music is a discipline. Children need to practice in order to be rewarded with a beautiful performance. To master a new piece of music, students learn to schedule practice time around existing commitments, developing good time management habits.
5. Improved fine motor skills
Playing an instrument requires precision. Children who learn to play the piano, violin, or other instrument use their hands in new ways that allow them to develop fine motor skills at a faster rate.
6. Confidence
Playing an instrument at a concert, or simply singing in front of the class, has a profound influence on the confidence of children. Students learning to be comfortable from a young age not only increases their comfort in their own skin, but also will benefit them in their future careers.
7. Improved Reading Comprehension
Sheet music exposes students to a brand new set of symbols and requires them to read them, fast. When playing a song, musicians are reading pages of material while simultaneously playing their instruments. As their ability to read music improves, overall reading comprehension also improves.
8. Increased Understanding
Musical children are more sensitive to subtle changes in tone when speaking. The ability comes from the high degree of auditory processing required in music study. Their sensitivity allows music students to better interpret subtle changes in speech and improves their ability to catch the real meaning behind the conversation.
9. Multi-tasking
Making music is complicated! It requires watching the director, reading sheet music, listening to the ensemble, and playing an instrument. Children who make music are able to development multi-tasking skills that will follow them into adulthood.
10. Creativity
Above all, music is an art. It provides children a way to express themselves creatively. Music study gives them a place to be inspired, follow their imaginations, and create.
Music Education is about so much more than just playing an instrument. Engaging students in music study helps them get the most out of their education.
*Source: (Music moves brain to pay attention, Stanford study finds. (n.d.). Retrieved March 3, 2015, from http://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2007/07/music-moves-brain-to-pay-attention-stanford-study-finds.html)
