Many of us have unpleasant childhood memories of being forced to take piano lessons. And if you didn’t grow up to be a musician, it may not have been easy to see the value of sitting on a hard piano bench plunking “Chopsticks” and “Für Elise” once a week.
But even if you had a piano teacher from the Black Lagoon, that doesn’t mean there isn’t value in lessons. Here are just three reasons to sign your kid up for piano lessons.
Help Foster Personal Skills
When kids take piano lessons, they aren’t just learning how to play the piano. The act of learning music teaches a whole host of other skills that they can apply even outside the realm of music. Some key skills your child will develop include:
- Detecting patterns, which is valuable in math
- Phonetic awareness, which is valuable in reading
- Time management
- Problem-solving
- Empathy
Other skills are harder to pinpoint. For example, when you learn something new, you usually have to accept the fact that you’re not going to be an expert right away. As your child goes through the process of developing your skills, they’ll learn patience and resilience as they make mistakes and learn from them.
Encourage Self-Exploration
When we’re young, we’re trying to figure out who we are. And part of the journey to get there is trying new things. Maybe your child will be the next Alicia Keys or Ray Charles, or maybe they won’t. Even if they aren’t, helping your child figure out what they don’t like will help them on the journey to finding out what they do like.
Whether your child is a musician or not, music is still a great way for them to get in touch with their emotions. Being exposed to music from a young age will help kids learn how to explore their emotions and express themselves.
Offer More Performance Opportunities
Let’s say your child does fall in love with music later on. Having the ability to play the piano gives them a head start as a performer. Learning to play the piano teaches music skills that will help them pick up other instruments. And, if your child wants to be a singer, they will be able to be their own accompanist.
How To Make Piano Lessons Better for Kids
So clearly, there are good reasons to sign your kid up for piano lessons. But how do you avoid them having the same unpleasant experiences you had? Here are a few ways to make piano lessons go better for your child:
- Make sure your child is interested in the piano
- Wait to sign them up until they’re mature enough to handle it
- Research the teacher or music school before signing up
- Don’t overstress perfection
- Give your child a say in the practice schedule
Also, if your child is taking online lessons, make sure they have the equipment they need to be successful. That means a computer, a piano, and your unmitigated support.
