| Why get your kids to play a musical instrument? | | | | drive to the shops, or as your child grows and |
| The real question is why wouldn't you! Kids who | | | | starts serious musical training you can, as I do, |
| learn a musical instrument often do better at | | | | learn an instrument with them! I am finally learning |
| school, particularly in the mathematical area. Kids | | | | the piano at the age of forty thanks to the |
| musical instruments can help develop the discipline | | | | endless encouragement of my gorgeous 8 year |
| that comes with regular practice and the | | | | old! His patience as he teaches me over a week |
| self-esteem that comes with achieving through | | | | what he easily picks up in a couple of days is |
| perseverance. The skills developed with kids | | | | wonderful to see in someone so young. The time |
| musical instruments often affect every part of a | | | | we spend together each day pumping out tunes |
| growing child's life as they learn the importance of | | | | (as he calls it, "Hey dad, wanna pump out some |
| balancing work and play to achieve success in | | | | tunes!") is a very special part of my day and is a |
| whatever endeavours they ultimately choose. | | | | bond between me and my boy that I expect to |
| Especially for younger kids, dramatic, hands-on | | | | last a lifetime. |
| toys such as kids musical instruments are a | | | | You don't have to stop at just playing and singing |
| brilliant way to help your kids express or release | | | | with your kids either, why not get into |
| emotion. The beauty of music is that kids musical | | | | homemade musical instruments? Imagine the joy |
| instruments can so easily be an outlet or avenue | | | | and satisfaction that can come from playing music |
| to express how you are feeling. In the case of | | | | on instruments you and your kids made together! |
| my four year old for instance, he now regularly | | | | This incorporates an even and more rewarding |
| takes out his emotions on his drum kit. I can now | | | | level of fun, skill and learning into the musical |
| actually judge how he is feeling by what he is | | | | experience. |
| playing! (It has also led to a much happier cat, | | | | So kids musical instruments can improve your |
| who often used to be the hapless recipient of my | | | | child's education prospects, develop discipline, |
| son's frustration, poor moggy!) Kids musical | | | | teach responsibility, create a safe outlet for |
| instruments are also extremely accessible for | | | | emotion and give you a fun, stimulating avenue to |
| parents, you can be singing along with your | | | | help you develop and maintain a bond with your |
| children as you do things around the house or | | | | kids. What's not to like? |