Kids and music are a natural fit. Whether you’re singing a lullaby to your child or they are trying to make music of their own by using their toys, kids are hooked on music at a young age.
That’s one addiction you should do everything you can to encourage because music isn’t just fun for kids — it’s good for them too.
Keep reading to learn why music is important for kids, plus the benefits of music for your children from the time they’re in the womb until they are well into their school years.
1. It Can Help Preemies
If you have a preemie in your life, sing to it all you can. And just when you think you can’t sing anymore for one day, hand your baby over to your partner and have them sing to your baby too.
Music is important for kids who are born early: for preemies, the benefits of music extend to their physical health as well as their emotional and development health. There are studies that show lullabies and live music will help stabilize a preemie’s vital signs. Plus, all that togetherness is good for them as well.
2. It’s Calming
Children of all ages find the right songs calming. That can come in handy whether you have a cranky toddler or an overstimulated infant on your hands.
Music can help your child wind down when they most need it. And that can be good news for both of you.
3. It Helps Develop Fine Motor Skills
Playing on a toy drum set or a colorful xylophone can help your child hone their fine motor skills. Those skills are important so it’s a good idea to support their interest in music anyway you can.
4. It’s a Family Tradition
Traditions are the glue that help hold a family together, especially multiple generations within a family. Music can give children a greater sense of family if parents play or sing songs that they loved when they were a child or that prior generations passed on.
Whether it’s a beloved lullaby or a Christmas classic enjoyed by older members of the family, your child will like hearing stories about how and why those songs are special to you and other family members.
5. They Can Hone Their Math Skills
When children learn to play instruments and read sheet music, they are improving their math ability. Research backs that up — children who play instruments score higher as a whole on their math tests.
While playing an instrument won’t create a math genius, it can help to reinforce any natural talent your child has in that department.
6. It Helps With Coordination
Music is important for kids’ coordination in so many ways. There is the coordination of hand-to-eye movements that playing an instrument can help develop.
But even if a child doesn’t play an instrument, they can improve their coordination from listening to music. When they hear the beat of a beloved or energetic song, children have a natural tendency to want to dance. Dancing is a great way to help with their balance and coordination.
It gives you an excuse to have an impromptu dance party with your child. Not only will they reap the benefits, but you will too. You’ll be burning calories, helping with your heart health, and having some great laughs and bonding moments with your child.
It doesn’t matter if your child is 2 or 10, they’ll love the spontaneity and fun of having a dance party — it might become one of their favorite memories.
7. It Teaches Patience
Learning patience is a hard lesson for children — they often want instant gratification and they don’t want to put in the work that’s needed to truly succeed at something. Patience is often a hard lesson for most adults, too!
When you try to become good at playing an instrument, it takes serious time and effort. You can’t quit when it gets tough or you’ll never succeed. Learning to focus and rededicate yourself when you hit some sour notes or can’t master a piece of music is an important lesson for children.
While playing that same piece of music dozens or even hundreds of times might be difficult, it will teach your child the value of patience after they see the good that practice will do them.
Music Will Impact Your Child
Whether they play an instrument or simply listen to music for their own enjoyment, it can have a profound impact on your child’s life. While your child will benefit from it in many different ways, the sheer happiness they might get from it is reason enough to introduce it to them at a young age.
Jenny Silverstone is the mother of two and a blogger for Mom Loves Best, where she writes about her journey through motherhood and shares her passions for music, health, and everything related to keeping her family happy and spiritually grounded.
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