Children and music work together naturally. Young children love to hear lullabies, nursery rhymes and music in general or create music themselves by using toy instruments and it’s clear to see that the connection between music and young children begins at a very young age. It’s a connection that needs to be encouraged as music is not only fun for children, it’s also something that’s good for them. We will outline exactly how and why music is important for children, as well as the benefits that music provides children right from their preschool years, through to their school years.
Music can help with coordination
Music can help to develop a child’s coordination a number of ways. For example, it can help to enhance hand-eye coordination when playing an instrument. If a child doesn’t play an instrument, simply by listening to music their coordination can be improved. For instance, when a child hears the beat of a song, they can’t help but want to dance. Dancing can help to improve coordination as well as balance. At home, you could try and create a dance party with your child. Not only will this provide you with the perfect opportunity to spend time and have fun together, but it will also impact your heart health and help you to burn off some extra calories too.
Music can help to enhance fine motor skills
When children play on instruments such as xylophones or toy drums, they are developing their motor skills. These skills are crucial for many aspects of a child’s development, so it is worth supporting your child’s interests in playing with musical instruments.
Music teaches patience
Patience is something that a lot of children find hard to grasp as children naturally prefer instant gratification and want to succeed in something as quickly as possible, without having to put much work in. If you want to be good at playing a musical instrument, it will require both time and effort. You can’t just throw in the towel when you find it starts to get difficult. You need to be able to focus in order to master any difficulties that you are faced with. When a child learns to play a specific piece of music, they will see that it is the practice that has got them where they are.
Music is calming
Music is calming to children of all ages. It can help to calm down a preschooler who is either overstimulated or cranky and it can also be used to wind children down when needed.
Music can help with math skills
If a child can read sheet music or play an instrument, they will enhance their math ability. Research has highlighted that children who can play an instrument tend and to do better in math tests. Although an instrument won’t make your child a mathematical whizz, it can help to strengthen any natural skills that your child may have in a particular aspect of mathematics.
