Did you know that music classes offer a variety of benefits for kids? From fostering a love of the arts to encouraging routines and social interactions, enrolling your child in a music class is a great way to broaden their horizons and set them on a path to success later in life. 

According to a 2014 Time article, one of the biggest benefits of music classes for kids is the boost it provides in children’s development. However, the article warns that for your child to fully reap everything music classes have to offer, they must be an active participant, with a willingness to learn and engage inside and outside of class. But that’s no problem — music classes are fun!

So, you may be wondering...how exactly do music classes boost your child’s mental development? We’re glad you asked! Among the list of benefits, some of the major ones are as follows.

1. Develop sensory awareness and sound distinction.

In that same Time article we referenced above, the author points out that when children learn to play music, they begin to develop something called “neurophysical distinction” — which sounds confusing — but merely means they start to hear and process sounds they couldn’t hear before. Music-wise, this helps children more accurately detect changes in pitch when the melodies are different. Academically, this can help in strengthening literacy skills and improving academic performance. 

2. Strengthens your math skills.

Wow. If we had known music classes would have improved our math skills growing up, you better believe we would go back in time and tell our younger selves to stick with the piano (and every other instrument we played…). But it’s true, according to Dr. Kyle Pruett, a clinical professor of child psychiatry at Yale School of Medicine, children who regularly participate in music classes have increased spatial-temporal skills, which means they have an easier time visualizing different elements that go together, like in math. Pruett, who is also a musician and founder of the Performing Arts Medicine Association, says spatial-temporal skills help solve multi-step problems you’d find in architecture, engineering, math, art, gaming, and computers. 

3. Become a better test taker.

In search of one of the recipes for test taking success? The answer is more music! According to this Quartz article, a study published in 2007 showed that students in elementary schools with advanced music programs scored about 22% higher in English and 20% higher in math on standardized tests compared to schools with lower-quality music instruction. The study compared the concentration required in music training to the level of concentration needed on standardized tests. The study goes on to highlight the overall success students have in their education because of high-quality music education. Along with these results, music classes can help with memorization and verbal recall.  

4. Improve communication skills...and bond with parents!

Parents who take their babies to music classes not only get a chance to spend quality time with their children, but they are actively helping them develop better communication and social skills, according to a 2012 study. The babies in the study smiled more and showed earlier and more sophisticated responses to music. They also learn to develop their fine motor skills. 

Need more proof? Enroll your child in a music class using Sawyer today and watch your little one learn a lifelong appreciation of music. We can’t promise you the road to music mastery won’t be painful to your ears, but we can assure you if you and your child are persistent, your hard work and patience will pay off in measures!

Looking to discover tons of enriching virtual music classes? Head here!