There are many emotional benefits of music. Playing a musical instrument enables children to express and understand their feelings, as well as providing an outlet for emotions that they cannot always express or control.
This on its own can help a child’s emotional health, but there are also lots of other areas in which playing a musical instrument can positively affect well-being and mental health.
Will playing an instrument boost a child’s confidence?
Confidence is an action associated with positive emotions. By relishing the emotional benefits of music, confidence can be built!
Confidence can be built in many different ways through music, with the knowledge that you are mastering a new skill. The great thing about learning to play a musical instrument is that with most instruments your child will see some results pretty quickly, which encourages them to keep going and see what else they can do!
Progressing from learning your first note, to then your first tune and on to your first performance increases confidence which goes hand in hand with growing confidence to try new things; children become more willing to compose their own piece, play for friends and family, and then play in public which can help children feel confident in presenting their work in a non-academic context.
Will my child feel a sense of achievement?
Just playing an instrument for a short time can bring great joy. Without even being adept at playing, making a loud or joyful noise is huge fun! Once your child has developed a little further into their musical journey, achieving the goal of a new note, piece or performance gives a young musician something to feel proud of; and they will begin to notice the emotional benefits of music.
Does music help develop social skills?
Playing a musical instrument gives you many opportunities to meet new people. Whether it be through a school orchestra, becoming a member of a local music centre, joining a band or attending concerts.
Improving social skills, boosting emotional intelligence, communication, time management and the ability to work as part of a team.
Can music help reduce stress?
In the same way that listening to loud music can make you feel more energised, listening to music can be an effective way to help with stress. Studies have shown that after being exposed to stressful triggers, by listening to music we tend to recover more quickly as it can help the body’s human stress response – particularly with our autonomic nervous system (the system that regulates a variety of body processes that takes place without conscious effort).
Listening to music can help manage our stress responses, and playing music can promote relaxation of tense muscles, enabling us to release some of the tension we might carry without realising – this is especially helpful for children who may not even be able to tell you exactly why they feel like they had a bad day at school! When they relax their muscles and loosen their body, the mind also relaxes. Music is a simple and fun way to help that tension disappear.
Read more...
Read about how music can help enhance a child’s imagination here.
Read BBC Radio 6 Music’s article 6 things music can do for your mind
Read more about the Benefits of Music here.
Music is a powerful contributor to young people's well-being - youthmusic.org
Experienced in marketing and PR, Sophie loves connecting with people through strategic communications and is responsible for Governance360’s marketing strategy, brand and content. An advocate of lifelong learning, in late 2020 Sophie completed the Marketing Week Mini MBA with Mark Ritson.
Graduating from Durham University with a BA in Theology, Sophie worked in events and communications, before moving into the events industry. With a sideways move into marketing for a busy agency, she has since gained over 14 years’ experience through a variety of industries and roles. Most recently she spent two years at Queen’s Award for Innovation winner Warwick Music as Marketing Manager before starting her marketing consultancy, Happy Marketer Ltd in 2021 alongside her work at Governance360.
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