Parents want nothing but the best for their children, but in order for them to achieve anything they want, they need to have self-confidence. Children who struggle with their self-esteem second guess themselves or are even too scared to try. This is why for parents who want their kids to succeed, the best gift they can give is to boost their confidence.
One of the lesser-known ways to do so is through music. Engaging children in the arts will help them have a positive outlook about themselves and their capabilities. When they explore themselves through music, they start to feel confident in who they truly are. You can learn more about the benefits of playing an instrument below.
Builds Confidence To Perform
Almost every kind of music class will involve some sort of public performance at the end. This experience might be scary at first, but once they are able to do it once, they will start to feel more confident to perform in front of others, whether at school or at home.
Develops A Wide Range Of Skills
When learning to play a musical instrument, they will also have to develop other skills like counting beats, keeping in time, and reading musical notes. In fact, research has proven that playing a musical instrument may increase IQ by at least 7 points, both in adults and children.
Develops Discipline In Learning
Attending regular music classes and practicing at home will develop their discipline when it comes to learning. This is, of course, helpful when it comes to their schoolwork and even in the future, in their jobs.
Allows For Self-Expression
Music and the arts give everyone a perfect medium for self-expression. Children may choose between different instruments to play, and they can experiment with different kinds of music to perform.
Develops Individual Strengths
In some cases, children who may not be as academically-gifted may benefit from learning how to play a musical instrument. The learning challenges they face in their music classes will also help them in their schoolwork.
Improves Language Development
Music is also a way for children to express themselves, and children who may have difficulty in their speech will also help improve their language skills. By singing along with music, they can practice pronouncing and enunciating words.
Enhancing Social Skills
Being in a music class or playing with other children will help children interact with others. As they build friendships with others, their self-confidence will also grow. Moreover, they will learn to work and play together as a team, which is an important social skill in school and the real world.
Encourages Competition
Competition is always a good way for children to measure their capabilities and at the same time, learn to deal with both success and failure. Because not all kids can win, it is a great lesson to learn how to manage failure. After all, failing can also drive them to work harder. So it is not just success that can boost self-esteem. Working hard to achieve a goal can truly build self-confidence and taking part in competitions allows them to assess their skills. Criticism and good feedback can boost both skills and confidence.
Develops Problem-Solving Skills
Learning a musical instrument is not a breeze and as they improve their skills, they get confronted with more complicated musical pieces that require studying and lots of effort. At times, they may feel blocked or stunted, but the secret is approaching the problem systematically, either by practicing part by part or getting some more help. Challenges are always opportunities to build self-confidence, so helping children overcome them will teach them ways to solve these problems. These skills are highly useful in life and once they succeed, they will feel very proud of themselves.
Music is not going to solve all the self-esteem problems of your child, but it might help them feel more confident as they learn new musical skills. Along the way, they can build other abilities as well, from socializing with others to approaching tasks systematically. Beyond just helping them be more confident, they will also learn skills they can use in school and in their adult lives later on. This is why enrolling your child in music school might be the best decision you ever made.
