Are parents being too pushy when they want to “impose” the love for music on their children? Many are afraid that if they push their kids to take piano lessons, they are forcing them to do something they don’t want to do.
If we start talking about parents who expect too much of their children, the discussion would be endless. But is that the case when you enroll your kid to piano lessons? Not necessarily. You won’t push them to be the next Rachmaninoff. You won’t compare them to other children and you won’t expect them to impress. You’ll just motivate them to practice and you’ll see them falling in love with music.
Children benefit a lot from piano lessons. If you’re casual about the activity and you don’t impose it as a pressure on your child, they will gain immense value.
Are you wondering what those benefits are?
1. Your Child Will Get More “Musical”
Through neuroimaging, scientists discovered that the brains of masterful pianists are better suited to be musical. Nevertheless, this is a talent skill that can be developed by practice to some extent. Your child doesn’t have to grow into a great pianist. They will still become more musical than they currently are if you let them take piano lessons.
At least they will learn what good music is. That leads to good taste in music, which lasts for a lifetime.
2. Piano Lessons Will Help Them Focus
Even the simplest music requires focus when played. Your child will have to hold their attention on every single note and maintain the required rhythm at the same time. But when they get into the practice, focus is not a strain. It’s a state of being that consumes them.
A good piano teacher will inspire your child to stay focused from the beginning to the very end of the composition. That’s a skill that can be translated to anything else your child does.
3. Practicing Piano Improves Their Motor Skills
To play a composition on the piano, your child will look at notes and play them with their hands. To do this, they will first look at their hands. But with practice, their body learns where the right keys are. So, they just look at the notes and the hands play without the help of the eyes.
Both hands play different notes, so they have to work independently. The eyes look at the notes for both hands at the same time, and the brain distributes the right order to each hand. It sounds so complicated when you write about it. But we’re talking about simple motor skills that a child’s brain can intuitively develop with some practice.
4. Piano Playing Reduces Stress
There’s a composition for all kinds of moods. If your kid feels sad, they can play a slow, melancholic composition. If they are relaxed, they can play Chopin’s Spring Waltz. If they feel anxious, they can play something “angrier.”
The piano is an outlet for emotions. Researchers found that piano practice improved the mood and quality of life in older adults. But that’s the case with children, too. When you make music happen with your own two hands, you can’t help but feel good about it. It doesn’t matter how young or how old you are!
5. Playing Music Makes Kids Smarter
We’re not saying that parents should push their children to be more intelligent and express dissatisfaction with average results. We’re just saying that your kid can develop better intelligence if you inspire them to play music. The key is in “inspire.” Remember: they shouldn’t feel pressured.
Researchers found that playing an instrument can increase IQ in both adults and children. Any instrument works, but the piano is so amazing that anyone who plays it will tell you the same: there’s no instrument that compares to it. Plus, it’s one of the easiest instruments for beginners to play. They just press a key and it returns a sound.
Find a Good Piano Teacher; You Won’t Regret It
With a patient and skilled teacher to take them through this journey, your kid will fall in love with the piano. They will fall in love with classical music, and it’s the kind of love that stays for life.
But it’s not just about developing an artistic personality. It’s also about the brain functions that this practice improves. Your child will develop better motor functions, intelligence, and focus. That’s great, isn’t it?
