Whether your child makes drums from your pots and pans or transforms the shower into a concert hall, musical education can help young artists in many ways. Before recording their bathtime ballads for music distribution, learning more about music can help them grow both creatively and intellectually. Studies indicate that it can help in a number of other subjects and better prepare kids for their future. Here are a few ways studying music can make a visible difference in your child’s life.
Listening and Language
Many people get hyped up when their favorite song hits the playlist and for good reason. Music stimulates different parts of the brain than regular speech, which increases a child’s ability to pay attention. Most people understand that singing the ABCs is a better way to learn the alphabet than simply explaining their order. Search music distribution organizations for simple, educational songs that draw your child’s focus to help them learn.
Getting a handle on the ABCs and 123s isn’t all that music is good for. Research has shown that musical training that the student finds engaging helps develop the portion of the brain responsible for language. Children with a musical education can grasp the intricacies of different dialects, making it much easier for kids to pick them up than someone who has no training or experience.
Fine/Gross Motor Skills
One of the most difficult tasks that toddlers have is learning how to use their hands and feet effectively. These fine motor skills help people tie their shoes, write, draw, type, and play. Gross motor skills involve how people move their bodies and interact with their environment. Obtaining a musical education can help to develop those aspects of movement in a variety of ways, and not just in the field of music.
Music can stimulate younger kids to dance and play, something that should be encouraged. If your toddler is practicing their moves, hand them a toy or ad hoc instrument to occupy their hands. Older children can improve their motor skills by taking up an instrument, such as:
- Violin: Musicians need excellent finger placement and must hold the bow in just the right way.
- Guitar: The instrument needs to be held in a certain way, and the left and right hands must make individual, complex movements.
- Flute: Holding a static pose develops shoulder and arm strength while fingering must be precise to make appropriate notes
Excelling in an instrument is a great way to see tangible results, which can be very gratifying no matter the student’s age. Just wait until they’ve had more practice before handing their demo tape in for music distribution!
Spatial-Temporal Development
Being able to visualize abstract concepts is an important skill that few people seek to develop. Learning through music can help young people work on improving their ability to conceptualize objects in a three-dimensional space as well as the physical aspects of movement and design. Some of the fields where spatial-temporal development is crucial to success include:
- Architecture
- Mathematics
- Engineering
- Programming
- AI Development
An education in music guides young learners by promoting abstract thinking. Visualizing how notes interact with each other and exploring the link between vocals and instruments wires the brain to improve those cognitive functions. Many students can sight-read sheet music, indicating they have a well-developed understanding of spatial and temporal relationships.
Social and Psychological IQ
The idea that music can increase IQ scores may feel like a myth, but studies have shown there is some truth to the idea. A research group from the University of Toronto followed six-year-olds through the first grade, having some receive musical instruction while another group attended drama courses. At the end of the year, the drama students had developed a number of social skills while those learning about music saw their IQ rise by an average of three points!
Learning an instrument can incrementally increase these stats as well. A six-month study on student pastimes during the pandemic indicated those who chose to learn a new instrument were more likely to see a rise in their IQ. When tested before and after the study, researchers found that the musicians saw an increase in their scores by 10% on average. Even if a child doesn’t have music distribution goals, they’ll have a distinct advantage moving forward.
Teaching Through Tunes
Many teachers are finding success using music and instruments to help develop a variety of skills. Educators that have music distributed throughout their lesson plans may find it easier to help children grasp complex concepts. At home, parents can guide their kids with musical play or support their explorations into the field as a whole. With an education grounded in music, children can develop crucial skills that will get them ready for whatever the world throws at them!
