Kid’s Piano Lessons Is ‘Key ‘ To School Success

Unsure which after school enrichment activity your child will get the most benefit from? Think piano classes!

Shocked?

You’ve probably heard that team sports, cheerleading, and martial arts all have their good points, but professionals agree that piano lessons offers the most bang for your buck when it comes to helping your youngster with school, relationships, and equipping them for future success.

So what are the benefits of kids piano instruction? And at what age will your youngster reap the most important rewards?

Concentration And Coordination A Perfect Duet!

It should come as little surprise that learning how to play the piano requires focus and attention. And training little hands to make music requires your youngster to connect symbols, sound and movement. Learning and practicing piano improves manual dexterity, and augments your child’s sense of rhythm and timing, particularly if music lessons begin before age 12. Even bigger increases have been noted in those that begin lessons before age nine.

Youngsters of any age can reap the benefits of piano lessons, so start your child when you feel they are prepared.

Bigger Brains and Educational Gains

Were you aware that learning piano can actually change pathways in the brain? Even increase the size of some portions of the brain? Studies show that piano instruction increases brain development in children, which in turn can help them excel at school. Understanding the language of musical symbols improves reading skills, and learning how to count and work with different time signatures improves their math and analytical skills!

Self confidence And Social Poise

The ability to exercise mastery and control of their own behavior and environment is critical to your child’s self-esteem. With piano instruction, your child will take delight in the music they produce, revel in their accomplishments, and strive to enhance their personal best. The satisfaction your youngster receives from their efforts will be reflected in their performance in class and through their social relationships with others.

Most piano teachers offer recital opportunities. If not, you can organize casual concerts at home with friends and family. In either case, your youngster will learn valuable performance skills, and those experiences can greatly reinforce their sense of self worth.

Music Appreciation Is History

As your youngster learns to play classical and recent standards, a good piano teacher will incorporate discussions of composers and compositions into lessons. Talks about music history help your youngster connect people, events, and important dates to arts innovations and movements. Marches, spirituals, folk ballads, and childrens songs all offer opportunities to speak about the people that sang them, the nations they’re from and the politics of the time. History will burst into life for students acquainted with the songs and musical celebrities of the past.

Piano Lessons Put The Art In Smart

You may have heard about the Mozart Effect, which highlights that playing classical music for infants and kids can increase their IQs. Studies show, however, that youngsters receive greater benefits when they learn how to play music instead of just listening to it.

It has also been revealed that kids who receive arts instruction on an ongoing basis are less likely to drop out of school. They’re also less likely to become involved in delinquent behavior. Of course, you know that won’t be a problem for your kid, but why take a gamble?

And talking of long term benefits, children who have studied under a piano teacher for multiple years cite their relationship with him or her as a important part of their youth. As teacher, mentor, friend and role model, your child’s piano teacher occupies a very important place in your child’s heart and mind, and can be a source of inspiration regardless of your child’s ultimate occupation.

Special Considerations

Is your youngster a special needs youngster? Don’t disregard piano lessons! Professionals say kids with exceptionalities like autism, Downs Syndrome, and physical constraints can still benefit. Even severely compromised youngsters may be able to focus longer and take pleasure in the sounds and beats they create. Look for a trained Music Specialist who makes a speciality of working with exceptional children. They can recommend a course of music treatment tailored to your childs specific capabilities.

Making The Right Decision

Providing your child with piano classes is one of the smartest things you can do as a parent to bolster their public or private school education. From the pleasure your youngster will take in creating music to the confidence and abilities they’ll enjoy, piano instruction is a worthwhile investment in your child’s future!

Doctor Anthony Fernando has a PhD in Education from Monash University and is also the creator of the piano software ‘Piano Is Fun’ which helps kids learn piano quickly and easily.