The benefits of music for kids

1. For pre-schoolers

Both formal research and simple observation demonstrate that music can benefit your child in many ways: 

• Development of speech and language

Singing simple songs can help to:

• Develop an understanding of the basic structure of language
• Become familiar with normal speech patterns
• Expand vocabulary 

• Mathematics

Amazingly, learning about rhythm within music helps to develop an understanding of ratios, proportions and fractions.

• Social Skills

Children that participate in music develop higher levels of social cohesion and skills such as empathy. 

• Confidence and self-expression

Music offers children an opportunity to express a range of complex emotions that are often too difficult to convey verbally. Children with less confidence can participate in music without having to rely on words. 

2. At primary school

• Music lessons can help children who are falling behind at school to catch up with and even surpass their peers in reading and maths. The benefits of music lessons also resulted in significantly improved behaviour ratings within the classroom. 

3. Secondary school

• High school pupils, who participate in the performing arts (including music) are less likely to become involved in drugs, crime or have behavioural problems. 

4. Music as Therapy

Music Therapy is a professional discipline that uses music to achieve therapeutic aims. In young children it involves the use of musical interactions to enhance and develop areas such as socialisation, communication, self-expression, and sensory-motor skills. Music Therapists work with children in many settings (hospitals, early intervention centres, private practice) and with varying needs (neonatal, autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, communication/speech and language impairment, emotional difficulties). 

All music therapy programs are individualised, but may involve the use of:

• Movement to music
• Singing and chanting
• Educational / instructional songs
• Involvement in a group
• Improvisation
• Instrument playing
• Music listening