Music instruction is better for children’s brains than “sports, theater or dance.” 

Save the link to this article and read again after a big fight with your kid about practicing. Or forward it to your spouse who wonders if all this money for lessons and instruments is worth it. Or if you are an adult whose parents made you practice an instrument, pick up the phone right now and say “Thank you!”

http://www.childrensmusicworkshop.com/advocacy/best-thing-your-parents-ever-did/

Hey, you’re a busy parent, so in case you don’t have time to read the article today, let me summarize it for you. A 2013 research study on kids who take music lessons found that these kids

“have better cognitive skills and school grades and are more conscientious, open and ambitious.”

Specifically, the study found that musical kids have significantly better brains. They outperform their peers in

• reading and verbal skills
• math skills
• spatial reasoning skills
• grades and IQs
• ability to learn languages
• motor coordination
• memory
• self-confidence and self-esteem
• creativity

If you are the parent of a musician, don’t expect your kid to be oozing with gratitude today.

My kids will probably roll their eyes when I ask them to practice this evening. There might even be some pitiful sighs. But that’s OK because today I’m feeling good about being a meanie.

My teacher Alexa Still brought this to my attention. Thanks, Alexa, for helping my brain grow…in many ways!  www.alexastill.com

Marlene Hartzler