Music and brain development

ScienceDaily (Sep. 20, 2006) — Researchers have found the first evidence that young children who take music lessons show different brain development and improved memory over the course of a year compared to children who do not receive musical training.

Even if children don't want to take music lessons at first, it will help them with their brain development and memory. If they end up hating music and they decide to quit once they are old enough to make such a radical decision, then they will still thank you for the improvements taking music lessons has given them.

Taking music lessons and practicing also sets a standard for the child--you must work hard to get good results. That standard will help them in school and with their career. Children who don't take music lessons (assuming they aren't involved in other lessons) do not get the experience of working to get what you want. This is such an important aspect of life! If children don't learn this, then what will our society be like in 40 years? They will be the ones running this place. How will they run it effectively if they have not experienced that you MUST work hard to get good results?

Not only do many ideas support giving children music lessons at an early age, but they also support them having to work hard each week to prepare for their lesson. There is not one teacher who likes a child to use their lesson time as practice time. They must practice at home and come to rehearse and be critiqued during their lesson. This is how they would learn to work hard--not just by going through the motions.