If you’re looking to give your child the thinking skills they need to succeed, music classes are the perfect solution. That’s not just us “tickling our own ivories”; research proves that learning a musical instrument stimulates the brain, in ways few other activities can!
The Science of Music
Children reap huge rewards the earlier they learn to play an instrument. In fact, a study at Heinrich-Heine University in 1994 concluded that musicians who started playing music before age 7 formed stronger nerve connections in their brains. Another study, by the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, showed that experienced piano players have more efficient thought processes and can improvise better that those with little piano skill.
That is just the tip of the iceberg. Studies from across the world support evidence that children who learn to play music usually have stronger brain functions, can think faster and more creatively, and can even be more protected from dementia later in life.
In fact, musical training is currently used as a therapy for many brain-related disorders, such as dyslexia in children or to help the recovery process for victims of stroke.
Getting an Early Start
Even toddlers can benefit from musical learning, such as the Music Together program at Sparkling Art Piano. It’s actually easier for children to learn new skills the younger they are. This is especially true for kids who participate in music-making activities with adults they look up to.
Programs like Music Together bring children and parents together in a richly musical environment. Adults and children alike learn to play with a wide variety of instruments, learn new songs, and even build improvisation skills that help everyone become better creative thinkers. Social skills flourish, too, with children learning to work and play together.
The benefits don’t stop once you leave the classroom! Skills learned in class can be carried to at-home play as well. In fact, we encourage parents and children to come up with their own creative songs and improvised instruments any time they desire.
Remember: A musical life prepares young ones for academic success long before they step foot in school.
Structured Lessons
Every child is different, so it may take a few years before they are ready for more structured training. Once your child is ready for instrument training, consider piano lessons. While it may seem intimidating at first, piano is one of the most beneficial instruments to learn. Not only do piano players think faster and solve problems creatively, they communicate more effectively and tend to be better multi-taskers. All of these skills are hugely important in the fast-paced adaptability-driven world we live in today!
Even older school-aged children show considerable, lasting improvements to brain function. Studies show that adults who had as little as one year of instrument training still performed better cognitive tasks than those who had zero training. Every musician, regardless of age, does show healthier brain activity and even emotional stability.
Simply put, it’s never too late to start training your brain with the power of music!