Should I Encourage My Child to Learn an Instrument?

Extra-curricular activities come with an abundance of advantages for children, including the opportunity to learn valuable life skills. With that said, it would be a great idea to encourage your child to learn a musical instrument. I have teamed up with one of the best London sixth forms to discuss the benefits of learning an instrument in greater detail. 

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As well as learning the obvious skills, like reading and performing music, learning an instrument will help your child develop time management skills. They must find time in their schedules to fit in music practice and weekly lessons, on top of all of their other commitments. Being able to juggle one’s time effectively is a great skill that even many adults struggle to master. 

Learning an instrument will also help your child understand the importance of perseverance. Even when they’re struggling and feel like giving up, they must learn to overcome challenges and remain determined. After all, practice makes perfect. The mindset that one should never give up will help your child across all other areas of their life, including schoolwork and personal relationships. 

When your child is proficient enough to perform in front of others, they will likely receive praise, which will give them a well-deserved confidence boost. Confidence is something that lots of children struggle with, but it’s an important ingredient in willpower, risk-taking and socialisation. 

However, despite the many benefits, parents should not encourage their child to learn an instrument if it’s not something they truly want to do. There are plenty of other hobbies that your child could explore if music isn’t really their cup of tea. Perhaps they could consider sport or drama instead. Unless they are truly passionate about it, your child will not be able to reap the benefits of learning an instrument. 

This is a collaborative post.