No matter the level of musical talent your child was born with, it is a proven fact that he or she can benefit greatly from some form of music education. Research shows that music facilitates learning in other subjects and enhances skills that children will use in other areas of learning. Check out these eight proven benefits of music education:

Improve Brain Function. Research shows that the brain of a musician, even that of a young one, works differently than that of a non-musician. According to Dr. Eric Rasmussen, chair of the Early Childhood Music Department at John Hopkins University,

“There’s some good neuroscience research that children involved in music have larger growth of neural activity than people not in music training. When you’re a musician and you’re playing an instrument, you have to be using more of your brain.”

Signing your child up for our music lessons in Tampa can spark this growth in their neural function!

Improve IQ Scores. A recent study found a small increase in the IQs of six-year-olds who were given weekly voice and piano lessons for nine months. The children’s IQs were tested before entering the first grade, then again before entering the second grade and were compared to a second group of six-year-olds with no music education. The children who were given music lessons over the school year tested on average three IQ points higher than the other group!

Improve Fine Motor Skills and Coordination. Music education is awesome for helping with auditory senses and hones that skill better than any other subject in school. But learning to play a musical instrument also helps improve hand-to-eye coordination, ear-to-hand coordination, and fine motor skills.

Improve Language Development. Did you know that learning to play music uses the same parts of the brain that are involved with learning a language? Anything involving music – singing, listening, or playing an instrument – thickens the web of circuits vital to sound processing and comprehension.

Improve Focus and Memory. Repetition reinforces memory. So, when your child is learning an instrument, he or she must practice using hand-to-eye coordination and both physical and mental recall – all of which improves focus and memory.

Improve Fundamental Math Skills. When it comes to fundamental math skills, there’s no ignoring the Mozart Effect (students who listen to Mozart before a task tend to be faster and more accurate). This is because music sparks the same part of the brain that uses spatial skills, which are vital for understanding higher math. In addition, when children understand how to read music, they master pattern recognition – another critical component to understanding math skills.

Improve Discipline and Teamwork. Learning to play, and then master a musical instrument doesn’t happen overnight (even for those few lucky ones who are born with musical talent). It requires daily practice and discipline which will eventually show your child that hard work leads to great things. The value of teamwork is also learned as children may one day join a band, a small ensemble, or school band. This will help them learn to collaborate with others and work towards a common goal.

The students at Barrett School of Music are building their teamwork skills through our summer camps! Many students who take private lessons don't get the experience of working with a large ensemble. And that's why BSM students are encouraged to participate in our Musical Theater Camp, String Chamber Ensemble, and general music camps every summer.

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Improve Self-Confidence and Self-Esteem. When a child works hard towards something and sees the fruits of that labor, it helps tremendously with self-confidence and self-esteem.

“A music-rich experience for children of singing, listening, and moving is really bring a very serious benefit to children as they progress into more formal learning,” – Mary Luehrisen, Executive Director of the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation.

Playing music can also help kids manage the daily stresses of life. Along with learning an instrument, music therapy has been proven to provide relief from anxiety, issues with focus, and general stress.

If you are interested in having your child take music lessons for kids in the Tampa Bay area, we can help! Barrett School of Music offers private in-home music education for piano, guitar, drums, violin, voice, and more! For more information on these kid’s music lessons or our Mommy & Me classes, please contact our Tampa music school today at 813-293-4594!