More Than Just Fun: Why Kids Need Music and Play

Music and play bring a lot of joyful fun to life — a good enough reason in itself to make sure we give our children plenty of time to play and fill their lives with opportunities to engage with music.

But singing, dancing, playing instruments, listening to music, and playing with other children can do even more for our kids than help them have fun. In fact, music and play are vital to a child’s healthy development. Here are a few reasons why kids need music and play.

Music Enhances Brain Development and Boosts School Readiness

From swaying and bouncing as infants to making up songs as preschoolers to group singing or learning to play instruments in elementary school, music makes up a vital part of the way our children learn, grow, and develop.

Numerous studies have shown the benefits that music plays in child development. For instance, a 5-year study done at the University of Southern California showed that childhood musical experiences can accelerate brain development. This was particularly true for “the areas of the brain responsible for processing sound, language development, speech perception and reading skills.” And according to the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation, learning to play music can improve reading and language skills, boost math achievement, and even increase SAT scores.

In addition to these academic benefits, music can help get children ready for school by improving necessary skills such as motor skills, social-emotional learning, language skills, and literacy. Early exposure to music helps children learn the sounds and meanings of words; dancing teaches motor skills and self-expression; and for children and adults alike, music strengthens memory skills.

Play Benefits Physical, Mental, and Social Health

Play offers kids a fun way to stay active and happy. Play that includes physical activities like running, skipping, or riding a bike help develop good physical fitness, agility, stamina, coordination, and balance.

When they play, children learn about themselves and the world around them. Play helps improve cognitive and emotional wellbeing and teaches children skills such as curiosity, confidence, self-esteem, resilience, and how to cope with challenging situations. 

Children love to create stories when they play, and every good story has a challenge to overcome. In creating these challenges and then finding ways to work through them, children test their own limits and learn how to deal with risk. In addition, learning basic skills like riding a bike and swimming teach children not only those important physical skills (which are wonderful ways to stay active), but also how to learn from mistakes, try again, and believe in their own abilities.

Social play helps kids learn how to interact in healthy ways with others. When they play with other children, kids develop important social skills such as listening, paying attention, and sharing. They also develop self-discipline and learn how to express themselves, explore their own feelings, and work out the emotional aspects of life.

Socialization Improves Early Childhood Learning and Development 

Socialization teaches kids productive ways to interact with their peers as well as with adults. These interpersonal skills are developed over time through instruction, modeling, reinforcement, and practice. Socialization helps kids learn:

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  Language. Language skills develop more rapidly in a social setting. Kids’ understanding of spoken language improves as they engage in storytelling and play, as well as through conversation with others.
• Teamwork. As children work together with their peers, they learn cooperation, equality, careful listening, and respecting the opinions of others — crucial skills in working productively with others.
• Sharing. In social play with other kids, children learn to cooperate with others by sharing toys and equipment.
• Respect. In a class setting, children learn to listen to authority figures who are not their parents. They also learn to treat their peers with respect, honing skills like being polite, taking turns, and paying attention to both verbal and non-verbal social cues.

Socialization also teaches children impulse control, the mental flexibility needed for complex problem solving, and the ability to understand others’ perspectives, viewpoints, and emotions.

Take Note Studio Understands Why Kids Need Music and Play

By now, you can see why kids need music and play to grow and thrive!

Classes and programs at Take Note Studio provide your child with all of these core developmental opportunities. As they enjoy music lessons, games, and crafts with their peers, your kids will learn these valuable skills in a holistic way...all while having a whole lot of fun!

It’s not too late to sign your children up for summer programs at Take Note Studio. Find more information and register for classes here. We’d love to have your children join us this summer!