What are the Benefits of Learning an Instrument as a Child?
Learning an instrument can positively impact different cognitive areas of your child’s life.
By doing so at a young age it can help boost memory, social skills, and improve other aspects of their development.
To help you understand more, this article will explore the various benefits for children of learning an instrument.
Memory and Retention
One of the most recognised benefits of learning music at a young age is the benefit it has on memory.
By learning a new instrument, your child will have to memorise entire musical pieces, which can vary in complexity. With varying tones and symbols, children learn to exercise their brain more to retain the information.
Studies have found that learning an instrument as a child helps to elevate working memory. This means children who play instruments can memorise information even when they’re thinking or concentrating on something else- a skill that’s useful when they’re reading or revising.
Attention and Concentration
Having your child learn an instrument can also help to improve their attention and concentration.
Learning an instrument requires children to focus and concentrate on a single activity for prolonged periods of time and as they improve their musical abilities, they will become better at focusing on the task at hand.
This has a ripple effect into the child’s classroom work too. They’ll be able to apply the same concentration principles to their revision and studies. Thus, helping them perform when exam season comes around.
Speech and Language Skills
Learning an instrument at a young age can also improve language and speech skills.
Studies have suggested that children who learn instruments have improved language and speech development when compared to children who don’t.
This is because learning an instrument helps to develop the left-hand side of the brain, which contributes to language, speech, and listening skills. The more skilled your child becomes in their music lessons, the better their language skills will be.
As their brains will be accustomed to listening to music, they may also be able to recognise rhythm more easily.
Discipline
Learning an instrument can improve your child’s discipline. An invaluable skill to have in education and in life in general.
This will have an impact on how they approach future tasks, whether that’s in University or the working world. They’ll be able to set themselves goals and execute tasks to complete them.
Coordination
Giving your child the opportunity to learn an instrument will help them master their coordination.
Many instruments require fine motor movements. With instruments like the guitar and the piano, children need to coordinate each finger to a precise key in the right way.
In particular, it will enhance the coordination skills of your child when they’re playing sports. If they engage in any of the sports the High School offer, learning an instrument can help them improve and succeed.
Additionally, better coordination can improve handwriting. Therefore, helping pupils to produce exams and essays quicker with fewer errors.
Learn an Instrument at The High School of Glasgow
As detailed above, learning an instrument at a young age has many benefits, including improved memory, concentration, coordination, and language skills. Therefore, enrolling your child into music lessons could be a great decision.
The High School of Glasgow has plenty of experienced tutors that can support your child on their musical journey across string, woodwind, brass, percussion, and voice.
Explore our instrumental and creative arts co-curricular activities now. If you have any further questions regarding our facilities or co-curricular activities we offer our pupils, get in touch today or visit the school in person.