10 Tips to Encourage Your Child to Play Music

Think about the last time you heard a child playing music. The experience likely filled you with nostalgic warmth, transporting you back to your own childhood memories of hitting on pots and pans in the kitchen or learning to play a new song on the accordion. banging

Music is a fundamental part of childhood, and it can provide valuable developmental benefits for kids.

The most significant advantage of music for children is its ability to bring them into a state of heightened attention. This increased focus can be important for further developing functions such as memory and planning for young children. 

If you’re looking for some ways to encourage your child to start playing music, here are ten tips to help get you started!

1. Start with the right instrument for your child

Every instrument is unique in terms of how it sounds and how it’s played. Wanting to share a love of music with your kids is a good reason for encouraging them to explore their musical talents on an instrument, but not if they’re stuck with the wrong one!

If you have already discussed the idea of your kid playing an instrument during holidays or weekends or at their school, then think about what sort of instruments they were drawn towards rather than what you wanted them to play. 

There are many types of string, brass, and percussion instruments, which can all be enjoyable and fun to play. If they already have a passion for a certain kind of instrument, their enthusiasm and motivation to learn can be very high.

For many kids, that will mean learning to play the guitar or piano, as these are the top two of the most popular instruments in the world. It’s crucial that you don’t second guess your child’s decision during this period.

2. Make sure you’re supporting your child’s musical interests

Giving your child positive encouragement is incredibly important. Many children will experience “performance anxiety” while playing music at some point, even if they’ve played their instrument for years. That’s not something children grow out of easily! 

Being supportive and helping them see beyond any self-doubt is vital, as well as celebrating all their successes along the way.

3. Encourage enjoyment of music from a young age

When children are given a chance to explore different kinds of music, they’re more likely to be engaged and develop a love of playing an instrument. Many teachers encourage their students to play along with recorded music at home so that it becomes a fun part and an enjoyable family routine.

Introducing your kid to a wide variety of music from a very young age can open up a whole new world of musical possibilities.

4. Create a practice space for your child

It’s never too early to begin encouraging the habit of daily practice. Your child should have their own quiet practice space where they won’t be disturbed by other household members or their mother. Setting aside a regular time in their day for practice will help to establish this space as the go-to place when they’re specifically looking to play music.

Practicing regularly is important for any child, no matter what their interests are. So making music practice a joyful and positive experience for your child is very beneficial. If they associate practicing with something they don’t enjoy, it’s less likely they’ll want to do it. Try coming up with creative ways to make practice more enjoyable.

5. You can learn together

Seeing your kid enjoy playing an instrument is one of the most exciting parts about watching them develop their love of music, but it doesn’t have to stop there. Learning to play an instrument is a fantastic journey, and many parents will want to share those moments and experiences with their children. Parents can always make for great practice buddies! 

You don’t need a complicated instrument to play music with your child. Just create a fun musical world by singing songs and jamming together!

6. Make sure your child is playing the right-sized instrument

Children grow quickly, and their hands and fingers can change shape dramatically over the course of just a few years. While creating an instrument is a complicated process, many instruments are made for adults.

If your child is playing an instrument made for adults, it could be too big and uncomfortable to play, making the whole experience stressful. Make sure you get advice from a music teacher about what size of the instrument would best suit your kid or whether they should change to a larger or smaller one.

7. Set a good example

Even if you’re not a musician, it’s important to be an active music listener to capture your child’s attention. Singing along together or tapping along with songs are both great ways of getting kids interested in the rhythm and beats behind their favorite tunes. This will give them plenty of ways to take that interest into the world of music they’re learning to explore.

8. Don’t just get lessons. Find a music teacher

Finding a teacher who will instill a love of music in your child is very important for their development as a young musician. Not every music teacher is right for every child. Some children may do well with a more strict teacher, while others may do better with someone who has a more laid-back approach. 

A good teacher will be both patient and knowledgeable, so take time to find one that will click with your child’s personality. Choose someone with whom your child is comfortable and who can help them grow as a musician. Also, make sure they are qualified to teach the instrument you have chosen for your child.

Still, it’s equally important to find supplementary materials to further develop what they’re learning at school or with the private teacher you hire. A good teacher will be able to provide you with books and recordings that can help give your child an excellent grounding in the basics with their chosen instrument.

9. Have fun!

Music is an incredibly varied world of sound, and learning how to play an instrument encourages creativity, independence, and hard work. All valuable skills that will stay with your child for a lifetime. Whether your kid is just starting out or has been playing for years, it’s important to remember that music should always be fun!

10. Be positive and celebrate their successes

Parents play a vital role in their child’s life. They act as cheerleaders, mentors, educators, and motivators to help children grow into the people they’re meant to be. One of the greatest things you can do to encourage your child to play music is to be their biggest supporter.

Your kid needs to know that you are supporting their passion 100%. If you are not, they will sense any lack of support and quickly lose interest in the activity. Praise their accomplishments and provide positive feedback. 

Motivation and support are vital in helping children learn how to play an instrument. If they’ve worked hard at practicing, keep a close eye on the next recital or performance they have, and make sure they know how proud you are of all their dedication and hard work through the years. 

This will make them feel good about their skills and encourage them to keep working on improving.

Conclusion

Parents should offer support, encouragement, and positive reinforcement for their children’s efforts. Music is one of the integral parts of our world, and there are so many benefits to encouraging your children to learn how to play an instrument. So help them appreciate the beauty of music because it is never too early, or too late, for anyone to start learning how to play an instrument! 

Even if you don’t already play a musical instrument, parents must show their children they’re interested in music and be alongside their children for the journey as they learn to play their instrument. Of course, many parents may already be musicians themselves and pass down their skills to their children. 

Either way, music education is an important part of your child’s development that can offer them great benefits for their future!