Have your kids expressed an interest in playing an instrument? If so, you should definitely let them do it!
There are so many benefits that will come along with kids learning an instrument. Regardless of which of the types of instruments they choose to play, kids are going to get a lot out of doing it.
Fortunately, a recent survey found that more than 80% of parents believe that it’s important for their kids to learn to play an instrument. But just in case you don’t fall into this category yet, you should learn about the benefits of playing popular instruments so that you can see why your kids should do it.
Check out six benefits of playing an instrument below.
1. Provides Kids With a Whole Host of Physical Health Benefits
When you think about kids learning about playing an instrument, you might not automatically associate it with benefitting their physical health. But as it turns out, there are lots of physical health benefits that come with playing an instrument.
Some of these health benefits include:
- Better posture
- Stronger immune system
- Improved deep breathing
Each individual instrument will obviously provide kids with different physical health benefits. But it’s amazing to see what something like playing the flute can do for a child in terms of their health.
Take a look at this Ted’s List article to learn about how playing the different types of flutes can improve a child’s physical health.
2. Improves Kids’ Mental Health in Many Ways
Playing an instrument is going to do more than just improve a child’s physical health. It’s also going to work wonders for their mental health!
How? Well, here are some of the ways in which your child’s mental health might be able to benefit from them playing an instrument:
- Increased mental performance
- Lower stress levels
- Improved concentration
Mental health has become a big topic in a lot of schools these days. Teachers, administrators, and others who work in schools are going above and beyond to try to learn how to improve kids’ mental health.
Playing an instrument could be the key to lifting up your child’s mental health and making it better over time.
3. Enables Kids to Benefit From Music Emotionally
So far, we’ve gone over the physical and mental health benefits of playing an instrument. But now, it’s time to touch on the emotional benefits that kids will enjoy when they pick up a new instrument and learn to play it.
First and foremost, playing an instrument will provide kids with an outlet for self-expression. They’ll be able to put their own spin on the music that they play based on how they’re feeling.
Playing an instrument can also serve as a form of therapy for many kids. They’ll be able to block out everything else and forget about any anxiousness, depression, etc. that they may feel when they’re playing an instrument.
There is also something to be said for a child learning how to play an instrument and doing it well. They’ll get a sense of achievement that they wouldn’t get otherwise.
4. Allows Kids to Make New Friends
When kids are on the younger side, they don’t always have much trouble making new friends. But as they start to get older, it can be challenging for them to make friends outside of the ones they already have.
Playing an instrument will put kids in a position to make new friends without having to put in too much effort on their part. They’ll cross paths with kids that they might not have met if it weren’t for them beginning to play a new instrument.
5. Makes Kids Consider Music-Related Career Paths
If your child doesn’t play an instrument at any point in their young life, there is almost no chance of them pursuing a music-related career. There won’t be anything in their life to suggest that they would be good enough at music to seek a career in the industry.
But if your child does play an instrument, it could open up career paths that they wouldn’t have ever considered. Even if they aren’t necessarily the best musician in the world, they’ll be able to get a glimpse of music-related careers that might interest them.
If nothing else, it’ll be nice for you to know that music is something that might be on your child’s radar in terms of their career. You’ll like knowing that you’re giving your kid options for later on in life.
6. Gets Kids Off Their Cell Phones and Other Devices
In recent years, studies have shown that most kids spend anywhere from 4 to 6 hours staring at their cell phone screens and the screens on other devices each day. Once they hit their teenage years, this number can climb as high as 9 hours.
It can be frustrating for many parents to find things that can convince their kids to get off their phones and other devices. But you might be able to do it by having your child play an instrument.
This instrument will take up at least some of their time and get them off their electronic devices for a little while. That alone should be reason enough to have your child try playing an instrument.
Playing an Instrument Can Set Kids Up With So Many Benefits
Believe it or not, these are only some of the top benefits of playing an instrument. There are literally dozens of them out there that you and your child will enjoy when they play an instrument.
You should check with your child to see if they might want to give an instrument a try. You should also look for music teachers in your area who would be willing to instruct them on how to play an instrument.
Read more articles about other things you can do to benefit your kids by browsing through the rest of our blog.
