Music Parent Guide: Part 1

HOW YOU CAN HELP YOUR CHILD 

The three most important factors that determine children's musical success are good teaching, sufficient quantity and quality of practice and the right support from home. You don't need practical music skills to help your child to musical success, but you do need to be involved and informed, to be supportive, and to show your child that you have a positive sense of commitment to the learning process. 

The E-MusicMaestro Music Parent Guide series gives you the information and advice you need to choose the right teacher and support your child's learning and practice at each stage, ensuring a happy, successful musical journey. 

WHY IS MUSICAL SUCCESS IMPORTANT FOR CHILDREN?

Music is worthwhile in its own right, as an important part of every child's education. Being able to play or sing well is enjoyable and rewarding for children. Musical achievement lays the foundation for a lifelong source of joy, personal confidence, and social opportunities. Adults often say that they wish they'd had the opportunity to learn music as a child and, even more often, they wish they had persevered instead of giving up. I have never heard anyone say that they regret the time they spent on music! 

WHY LEARN TO PLAY?

Children who are learning to play or sing do so for a variety of reasons:

• they like the sound of the instrument
• they love music 
• their friends do music
• their parents are keen for them to learn
• to gain entrance to a particularly good school
• to gain extra qualifications that will help them secure a university place.

DON'T MUSIC LESSONS TAKE THE TIME AWAY FROM OTHER SUBJECTS?

Valid, statistically-significant studies have consistently found that children who have lessons on a musical instrument or who are learning to sing do better across the board academically - even when those children miss a lesson in another subject to attend their music lesson. This is because of the many benefits that music education brings to children's development in terms of wider learning abilities and strategies, for example in mathematics, physical co-ordination, social skills and emotional development. There is a growing body of evidence indicating that students who have studied music are likely, for instance, to make good scientists.  

High  flyers

Universities may look for well-rounded individuals but top colleges and universities adhere to one golden rule: the best predictor of future achievement is past achievement, stresses Allen Cheng in his comprehensive guide on getting into the most elite universities.  If your child is studying music, give her the best chance to succeed no matter what subject she intends to read at university. 

singing and happiness

As well as supporting your child's individual music-making, why not encourage him to join the school choir? Singing in groups could make you happier - research supports the idea that singing in groups promotes feelings of belonging and well-being, and reduces anxiety and depression. What better gift could you give your child?

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Sandy Holland