Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything – Plato
Be it humming a tune to your kid at bedtime, or enrolling your child in a music class, music has always been a powerful tool for kids. To bring them calm, to make them smile, to build that emotional connection with them – whatever it may be for, music has always been a part of human life. From ancient times when music was used to soothe the soul, communicate and heal, to modern times when it is used for entertainment, music has come a long way. Yet, music has much more to it than just the fun of listening to it. Studies have proven that music can be used as a tool to improve mental health, especially for children.
World music day, celebrated every year on 21st June is the day to celebrate the power of music and its ability to serve as a tool for emotional expression and healing. Also known as Fête de la Musique, this day was first celebrated in 1982 in France. Today World Music Day is celebrated globally with musicians and music lovers coming together to break down cultural barriers and celebrate the pure joy of music.
Through this blog, this year on World Music Day, we would like to explore the importance of music on the mental health of kids.
Mental health in children is a primary concern for parents. Hence, it becomes imperative to address any mental health issues with them early on to ensure a healthy childhood. Music can play a significant role in helping children maintain good mental health.
Music helps in regulating emotions in children
Music is a way for children to express their emotions and experiences non-verbally. Children who learn music can tap into their emotions and express themselves better. This is particularly important to children who are unable to identify and express their emotions. And may develop anxiety, depression and other mental health issues. Learning music or just listening to music as a daily practice can help them recognize, manage and communicate their emotions, which leads to better mental health.
Music reduces stress in children
Whatever the exposure to music is, be it listening or playing an instrument, music has been found to reduce stress and anxiety in children. Music reduces cortisol levels, which are associated with stress and increases the production of endorphins which serve as the body’s natural painkillers. It soothes their mind and body calming their nervous system.
Music improves concentration and attention in children
Children who learn music tend to have better attention spans and strong memory skills. Learning to play an instrument requires keen listening skills and focused attention. Participating in musical activities further increases the child’s confidence and self-esteem. They experience a sense of achievement and become better equipped to handle challenges in their life. Music has also been linked to helping develop children’s cognitive skills. Learning to read music, engaging in singing, playing an instrument or creating music not only improves memory and concentration skills but also enhances creativity, problem-solving, decision making and critical thinking skills. These skills keep their mind away from negative thoughts and emotions and teach them a sense of control and self-confidence over one’s minds and thoughts.
Music builds social connections
Participating in choirs, bands and other music activities, be it at school or around the neighbourhood, helps the child create social connections. They learn the importance of community and collaboration or teamwork. They develop a sense of belonging for each other and these friendships function as a support system for the child in times of need.
Music can be used as therapy for children
One of the benefits of music is its therapeutic ability to meet a child’s physical, emotional and spiritual needs. Musical interventions such as listening, lyric analysis, mixing, songwriting and improvisation can address several mental health goals such as managing stress, building self-esteem, enhancing communication, overcoming inhibitions and more.
Tips to Incorporate Music in your Child’s Life
Every child is unique. Hence it is important to listen to their interests before integrating music into their lives. To foster a positive relationship with music and themselves, here are some tips you can use to support your child’s well-being with music.
- 1) Make music a part of their daily routine:
- 2) Make them reflect and express:
- 3) Dance together:
- 4) Take them to music festivals and concerts:
- 5) Enrol in a music class:
- 6)Appreciate their musical creations:
Expose children to all genres of music and allow them to pick music basis their sense and personal preferences. Play some calm music or their favourite numbers in the background while they are getting ready for school.</li>
Encourage children to listen to their choice of music actively and ask them questions to hear their emotions and thoughts on their preferred choice of music. Encourage an open discussion and reflection on the emotional aspects of the music.</li>
Dancing together encourages them to express themselves openly and without feeling judged. Dance movements keep them physically and mentally active.</li>
Concerts and live performances are a great way for children to pick up the nuances of playing music in front of a crowd. It boosts their confidence and organizing skills for the future.</li>
Consider enrolling your child in a music class in their younger days. Learning to play an instrument, sing or dance early in the years helps them build cognitive and creative skills.</li>
Offer them age-appropriate musical instruments and let them explore and create different tunes, sounds and tones. Create a music playlist together and ask them to pick out music they would like to hear before they go to sleep. Stress on the need for music to be calming and rejuvenating</li>
Every child may have unique preferences and needs when it comes to music. It is our responsibility to offer them a variety of musical experiences and opportunities that let them explore and discover their tastes. At EuroSchool, we ensure that integrating music into the learning journey of students adds value to their education, and enhances their learning experience while contributing to their mental and physical well-being.
