From promoting better time management skills to improving the mind and body, extra-curricular activities tend to be a fantastic option for both children and adults.

Of course, it depends on the activity in question, but they can be an enjoyable method of staying fit and healthy or just allowing your kids to let off some steam after their time at school.

When it comes to musical instruments, research has concluded that children who learn one tend to have improved overall academic performance.

That in itself is a great reason for parents to encourage their kids to learn a musical instrument. Nonetheless, there are several more reasons why learning an instrument is beneficial, as explored below by a private prep school in Surrey.

Improved Self-Esteem

Learning an instrument involves working through a new piece of music on a regular basis and often performing it to others, even if it’s just to the music teacher or a parent.

This is valuable to a child’s self-esteem as it allows them to feel a sense of achievement and pride. The positive feedback they consequently receive offers a little boost of self-esteem which encourages them to persevere with their learning and growing.

This fresh confidence will become obvious across various other areas of your child’s life, such as their ability to speak up in lessons and tackle tricky projects.

Time Management Skills

Children who take music lessons outside of school hours have to learn to prioritise their time, especially if they want to factor in practising as well as the lesson itself.

They will become better able to handle multiple commitments, from homework to socialising, which is a valuable skill that can be transferred to sports and schoolwork.

Extensive CV

When the time comes for your child to start applying to universities and jobs, being able to talk about a hobby or skill learnt outside of school, both on their CV and in interviews, will go a long way in helping them to be successful.

Your child will be able to say that they persevered with learning an instrument for several years, which has taught them the importance of dedication and using their time productively.

With these benefits in mind, it’s certainly worth thinking about suggesting to your child that they start learning an instrument. However, make sure it’s definitely something they want to do and let them choose the instrument.

If you force them into an extra-curricular activity that they’re not truly interested in then they will probably start to resent it and have no motivation to practise. Instead encourage them and be open to their ideas.

Disclosure: This is a collaborative post.

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