Why music might be a good hobby for your children

As a new school year begins, it's not just about academics—it's a great time to reconsider your children's extracurricular activities. As a parent you are weighing the options: should you prioritize what your child enjoys, or should you nudge them toward activities that you believe will provide long-term benefits? With age, children's preferences naturally become more prominent, but as parents, we can provide some guidance, based on what we think might be a positive skillset and experience.

In this blog, I’ll explain why music, specifically, should be on your radar. Not just as a form of entertainment or pastime, but as a hobby that offers profound developmental benefits. Having personally enjoyed music throughout my life, and now, as a neuropsychologist, I would like to share the deeper impact of music on children's cognitive and emotional development.

What Defines a "Good" Hobby?

When thinking about what makes a worthwhile hobby, a few factors come into play. A hobby ideally:

1. Teaches a New Skill: Whether it’s physical, like playing soccer or ballet, or creative, like drawing or playing an instrument, every hobby teaches children something new. This can be particularly useful if your child has a talent waiting to be nurtured, or if there’s a skill—such as hand-eye coordination—that you believe could use more focus.

2. Creates Social Connections: Many hobbies, whether it's joining a soccer team or singing in a choir, offer children the chance to interact with others, fostering teamwork and communication skills.

3. Has a Lasting Impact: Beyond the immediate activity, some hobbies encourage broader life benefits. Music, for instance, not only hones cognitive and motor skills but also builds a sense of discipline and emotional expression that can stay with them for life.

The Benefits of Playing Music

Music, in particular, stands out as a hobby with a wide array of benefits. When children learn to play an instrument, they develop both physical coordination and mental discipline. Translating sheet music into hand or finger movements requires focus, and it trains various areas of the brain responsible for motor control, listening, and visual-spatial processing.

Research supports this claim: Playing a musical instrument requires the engagement of multiple brain regions, including those involved in auditory processing, motor control, and memory formation. Musicians tend to have greater volume in these areas compared to non-musicians .

Additionally, the routine of regular practice fosters self-discipline. Scientific evidence shows that music training enhances attention and impulse control. Long-term music training is associated with improvements in cognitive functions, such as attention and working memory. Moreover, musicians often show increased brain plasticity, which allows for stronger connectivity between brain regions. Musical training over time alters the structure of the brain and improves cognitive abilities across a wide range of domains, including spatial reasoning, language development, and executive function.

The act of practicing an instrument reinforces patience, perseverance, and the realization that improvement takes time. These are valuable life lessons that extend well beyond the music classroom.

How to Start Introducing Music to Your Child

Introducing your child to music can begin at a very early age—through something as simple as listening to songs and dancing. For those ready to go a step further, a solid musical education typically starts with learning the basics of written music.

Many music schools offer group classes for beginners, which are often more affordable than individual lessons. Group sessions also provide a social environment, allowing your child to connect with others who are learning music at the same time. Over time, as your child becomes more familiar with music, it becomes easier to identify which instrument might suit them best.

Final Thoughts

Choosing a hobby for your child can sometimes seem challenging, but music offers a unique combination of mental, physical, and social benefits that make it a particularly rewarding choice. It not only stimulates cognitive skills but also brings perseverance, discipline, and the joy of self-expression.

As a parent, you have the chance to help your child discover the enriching world of music. Whether it's through singing, playing an instrument, or even just appreciating different forms of music, these experiences can play a significant role in their development, not just now, but for many years to come.

Sources:

1. Herholz, S. C., & Zatorre, R. J. (2012). Musical training as a framework for brain plasticity: behavior, function, and structure. Neuron, 76(3), 486-502.

2. Schlaug, G., Norton, A., Overy, K., & Winner, E. (2005). Effects of music training on the child’s brain and cognitive development. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1060(1), 219-230.

3. Hyde, K. L., Lerch, J., Norton, A., et al. (2009). The effects of musical training on structural brain development: a longitudinal study. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1169, 182-186.

4. Kraus, N., & Chandrasekaran, B. (2010). Music training for the development of auditory skills. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 11(8), 599-605.

5. Gaser, C., & Schlaug, G. (2003). Brain structures differ between musicians and non-musicians. The Journal of Neuroscience, 23(27), 9240-9245.

6. Bialystok, E., & DePape, A. M. (2009). Musical expertise, bilingualism, and executive functioning. Frontiers in Psychology, 1, 5.

7. Moreno, S., & Bidelman, G. M. (2014). Musical training and language-related abilities: a review of the evidence. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 18(10), 540-548