Making music is a magical skill–one that takes time, practice, patience, and a whole lot of effort. But one anyone can learn. And the pleasure of playing isn’t the only reward that can be reaped by the process. There are countless musical and social benefits that come from music classes for kids–especially group classes like a band or ensemble.

This week, we’re going to explore eight of them.

The Benefits of Music Classes for Kids

Social Support

Group music lessons for kids can provide another place and a similar family atmosphere to lean on in times of emotional trouble. Just like with any family, there will be both ups and downs. However, friends made in a band or ensemble can create a unique place that will support them during all the good times and bad.

The friends that make up group music classes for kids can lean on each other as they experience new things together. In a more formal setting of a school band, younger students have the opportunity to learn from their older peers who may have been through it already.

Self-Confidence

Bands of all shapes and sizes offer their members the incredible benefit of participating on a winning team. The winning isn’t as apparent as in sports; it comes from progressing together and making music as a collective.

Even in music classes for younger children, each member of the group is a part of the greater whole. They experience success and failure together and learn how to handle ups and downs together. But most importantly, they can take pride in knowing that they contributed to something greater than they could do on their own; they can take ownership as a part of the group.

Playing with others also boosts children’s confidence in their own abilities in other areas of their lives. They learn they can accomplish their goals with a clear plan and some discipline. What’s more, they apply those lessons to tackle projects and adversities outside music with both direction and purpose.

Commitment

Another benefit of group music lessons for little kids comes from committing to practice and then following through. Each member of the group learns by committing to their shared practice schedule, accepting responsibility for completing their own tasks, and making a promise to each other to see things through to the end together.

Sticking together when things aren’t so fun, or the rewards aren’t so easy to see, is a valuable lesson that will benefit kids well beyond their band practice.

Discipline

Some of the hardest things about playing in a band or ensemble are the responsibilities. The long rehearsals, the need to get their part right, the idea that “early is on time; on time is late,” and all while keeping your manners and respecting each other.

Each of these things take discipline, and the discipline learned in age-appropriate music lessons act as a foundation for times later in life when that discipline is needed; through college, at work, and even as a parent.

Conflict Resolution

Whether your child’s band is 5 members or 100, conflicts are bound to crop up. Learning to work through these issues is an important part of life. This skill will help in future conflicts within their families, with their friends, and in those inevitable situations when they will have to work with people they just don’t like.

Through music classes for kids or as a member of a band, children not only learn the ideas behind conflict resolution but have plenty of opportunities to practice them. They gain valuable coping skills; like how to “blow off steam” in a productive and healthy way, and how to calmly resolve disputes.

Flexibility & Creative Problem Solving

Any group that performs in together will need to learn to embrace any feedback they receive. Rather than rigidly insisting that their performance was flawless, they need to learn to take constructive criticism seriously and apply it to making adjustments where needed.

Members of group music classes for kids must learn to be flexible and apply problem-solving skills to tweak their performances. This ability to be flexible and learn from others’ criticisms and comments is a critical skill that will help any child well beyond their time in music class.

The Ability to Prioritize

Scrolling through social media, watching TV, playing video games, and a ton of other activities are often a lot more fun than the “to-do” list. But playing helps teach the importance of putting aside distractions and prioritizing the important things.

No one can deny that video games are fun. They help develop hand-eye coordination and are fantastic at stress release. That said, they are also terrible for productivity. Time management skills learned from practicing and even music lessons for little kids will serve any child well throughout life.

Life Isn’t Always Fair–or Fun

We’ve all heard it before: life isn’t always fair. Learning to deal with disappointment, as well as creating a system for handling disappointment, is an important part of playing music, especially as a group. They’ll struggle as some members learn things quickly, and others lag behind. If they perform, sometimes they’ll be at their best, and other times they won’t. If they compete in a “battle of the bands” or talent show, their best may not be enough to win. Learning to bounce back from these let-downs and setbacks is a benefit that will help well into adulthood.

There’s nothing quite like playing in a band to teach the value of teamwork. And it’s never too early!

Does your little one want to join a band? Why settle for standard music lessons for 5-year-olds when they can be rockin’ from the start? Check out our Kidzrock and Jr Rockerz programs, and sign up today!