From the preschool xylophone to the elementary school recorder to middle and high school band and choir programs, your child will likely come across some level of music education. However, there’s a whole world of music to explore, and if you feel that your child has an interest in playing an instrument, music lessons can be a rewarding extracurricular activity that provides many long-term benefits.
When Should They Start?
It’s never too early, or too late, to begin your musical journey. Babies, teens and even adults can begin some level of music instruction.
While there isn’t an ideal age to start playing music, early exposure can provide an advantage, according to Tracy Ammon, director of education at Beck Center for the Arts in Lakewood.
“We are inherently musical — from a biological standpoint, rhythm is a part of our physiology,” she says. “The human brain has specific regions dedicated to the processing of music. In fact, singing follows different neurological pathways than human speech does, which is why babies are often able to hum, sing or vocalize along to music before speech emerges. The best thing you can do for your child to prepare them for music lessons in the future is to get them involved in music as early as possible.”
At The Music Settlement in Cleveland, children as young as three weeks old can begin music and movement classes, which, alongside a caregiver, uses rhythm, listening and playful exploration to build musical foundations. As children grow, they can progress into group lessons or begin private instruction as early as age 4.
“If your child shows interest in music — tapping rhythms, singing along or being drawn to instruments — they are likely ready to begin, whether that is a group class or private music lessons,” says Sydney Miller, director of marketing at The Music Settlement.
Readiness can vary by child, but a few key indicators that they might be ready for instruction include the ability to follow some basic directions, their attention span and developing hand-eye coordination.
“When considering a child’s readiness, it’s important to note that while the interest, attention span and motivation may be there, it may take time for hand and finger dexterity/growth to catch up (depending on the instrument),” Ammon explains. “Research consistently shows, however, that early exposure to music and music classes is beneficial on many levels for children. It is never too early to get involved in a parent/child or caregiver/child music enrichment class.”
Miller adds that children do not need to know how to read, write or count before beginning music lessons.
“In fact, many music programs for children are designed to meet students right where they are developmentally. The best tools to encourage are openness and exploration,” she says.
How to Choose the Right Instrument
With so many instruments to choose from, how do you know what’s best for your child? The experts say it’s best to let your child explore and have their interest guide the way.
“Every child is unique and will naturally gravitate toward certain sounds,” Miller says. “The best way to discover their musical fit is through exploration.”
Ammon adds that if a child is interested in an instrument but doesn’t quite have the physical skills for it, there are other instruments that can be good starting points.
“For example, beginning with ukulele for a child who has interest in learning the guitar but maybe not the physical dexterity yet,” she says.
Beginner classes may also provide children the opportunity to try a variety of different instruments before committing to one.
Benefits of Playing an Instrument
The benefits of playing music go beyond just learning notes and rhythms. Music education provides lifelong benefits for learning and even health, according to Ammon.
“Music instruction early on supports verbal development, auditory skills, motor skills, emotional processing, executive functioning, behavior regulation and more,” she says. “Studies have shown that children who engage in music instruction long term have enhanced information retention skills, verbal competency and overall academic achievement. Music instruction can also enhance focus, attention to detail, problem-solving ability, creativity, discipline, self-motivation and time-management skills.
“Emotional and social development are also enhanced through promoting confidence and self-expression, cooperation with others, collaboration, and respect for one another,” Ammon adds. “The benefits are multidimensional and comprehensive.”
Music at Home
Parents can foster the love of music at home simply by incorporating music into everyday life, such as listening to music in the car, singing nursery rhymes, reading books that incorporate music or even DIYing your own instruments at home.
“Break out those spatulas and mixing bowls and make a band,” Ammon says. “Dance together to music you love. Enroll in a parent/child music class.”
Miller adds that a musically rich environment helps young children build listening skills and a positive emotional connection to music from the start.
Real-Life Learner
For Maximus, a third grader in Akron, music has already become a meaningful part of school life. He began playing the flute in first grade and, this year, he is learning the violin as part of his school’s curriculum. His mother, Mandy, says the class is taking a creative approach to teaching the foundational skills.
“They haven’t started playing the real violin yet,” she says. “Instead, they’re building violins out of cardboard to practice proper hand placement and posture, a creative way to learn how to hold the instrument without risking damage to a real one. By the end of the school year, he’ll transition to playing an actual violin. In fourth grade, he will start taking his violin home.”
She adds that music is an important part of their household.
“Music is important to our family for its ability to soothe the soul and uplift a mood,” she says. “Music helps add soul to a home. I have so many memories tied to music and we hope our children will have the same.”
She says there are many ways Maximus will benefit from playing an instrument.
“Hand eye coordination, a healthy outlet for emotion, plus it teaches focused effort and discipline,” she says. “So many skills are learned that can carry over into real life. Learning to play is a whole brain workout.”
