The important life skill children learn from music

More than memorising notes and how to master their instrument, learning music teaches children the art of perseverance, setting them up for success in life.

In today’s instant-gratification world, sticking with challenging tasks is becoming more and more difficult for people of all ages, and it’s especially true for children. Many kids are so used to the immediate rush of good feelings that comes with winning a video game or watching a glimpse of something on-screen that when faced with obstacles in daily life, giving up is a given.
 
The art of perseverance – persisting with tasks that require practise, repetition and the sometimes-uncomfortable feelings of not being ‘good’ straight away – is becoming rarer. But if there’s ever a discipline that can help kids get acquainted with the process of perseverance – it’s learning a musical instrument.
 
Persistence pays off
 
Parents may find that after several weeks of their child learning an instrument, the ‘honeymoon period’ – where your child is intrinsically motivated to practice and may see themselves improve quite quickly – can begin to wear off. Interest may begin to lag; incentive to practise may dwindle.
 
This, dear parents, is the golden moment. This is the pivot-point when we all – parents, carers, tutors and students – need to dig deep, muster our enthusiasm and encouragement, and press on!

Parents may find that after several weeks of their child learning an instrument, the ‘honeymoon period’ can begin to wear off ... This, dear parents, is the golden moment.”

Perseverance in the face of challenge activates a growth mindset, which not only serves your child right now, but will do so for their entire future.
 
Improvement will come, but it may not come instantly, and understanding and being okay with that is key to your child pushing past the barrier of discomfort.
 
Words of encouragement
 
As parents, we can offer encouragement in various ways, by acknowledging that:

• Practice can feel hard sometimes;
• It’s okay to feel frustrated when we don’t see results straight away, but it’s not a reason to stop altogether;
• All musicians experience challenges on the road to improvement;
• Setting smaller, achievable goals helps make practice more manageable;
• Your persistence with music practice will ultimately pay off.

 
Praising the effort your child puts in to persisting will also help encourage them to keep going.  

Finding their groove
 
It usually takes one year or more for children to ‘find their groove’ with their instrument. If your child seems to have lost their initial excitement for learning music, understand that this is completely normal, but that it’s also not a sign to stop.
 
With a little acknowledgement and encouragement that “we can overcome challenging things”, your child will likely pull through the lull, and come out the other side a more mature and accomplished musician and overall learner.
 
How have you seen perseverance pay off for your child?