It’s common for kids to join extra-curricular activities in order to explore their interests growing up. With many out of school sports teams looking for players, there’s no shortage of physical activities to choose from. But what do you do if your child has no interest in sports or team activities? Try music lessons!
Music lessons are the perfect alternative for kids who aren’t interested in playing sports. A focus on music allows less athletic kids to hone their creative side, while still benefiting from the addition of extracurricular activities to their lives.
Why are extracurricular activities important for kids?
At Capstone Music Burlington, we’re all about developing our students love of music for life. We encourage exploration and offer lessons across a range of instruments. Whether your child is into sports or not, music is a universally inclusive activity!
Extracurricular activities are the best way for kids to learn about their interests and goals. It is important to encourage kids to take up some out of school hobbies, for several reasons.
- Decompress from school
- Develop social skills
- Find their passion
- Try new things
- Improve confidence
- Develop communication skills
- Work well with others
Sports aren’t for everyone
Many adults enter into parenthood thinking their kids are bound to be the next greatest hockey, soccer or basketball player. They include sports references from the day their child is born, and try to fill their home with games on TV and toys related to the sport. However, many kids just aren’t interested in playing sports. When this happens it’s easy to focus on your dreams as a parent and try to convince your child to give it another go. However, recognizing your child’s disinterest and allowing them to try out something different is a great way to strengthen your relationship and encourage your child to find the activity that speaks to them.
Music lessons are a great alternative to sports
Signing kids up for music lessons or music camp is a great way to give them the same benefits as they’d experience with sports, while honouring their interests. Kids taking music lessons will experience a number of benefits that will carry over into other parts of their lives as they grow older.
Learn self-discipline
One of the hallmarks of taking music lessons is the requirement to spend time practicing between sessions. While parents can do their part in ensuring their child completes their practice time, it comes down to the child to actually keep up with their schedule. Learning this self-discipline will help set them up for success later in life.
1. Foster both independence and teamwork
Throughout a musician’s career they will have opportunities to both play alone and to work with other musicians. Learning these skills will help them in many areas of life, both when they’re young and as they get older.
2. Practice motor skills
Young kids start out learning how to move their hands across the keys. As their skills progress, they will add the use of foot pedals to their repertoire, improving their coordination and motor skills.
3. Encourage creativity
Creative activities like art and music have an important effect on a child’s mind. Learning music allows kids to use both creative and analytical sides of their brain, which are both important parts of a creative life.
4. Develop hand-eye coordination
Learning how to read music while playing an instrument forces kids to develop their hand-eye coordination. As their music playing skills progress, they will be able to play the notes without looking at their hands, leading to improved hand-eye coordination.
5. Set and work towards goals
When taking music lessons, an important part of the process is the setting of goals. With the help of their teacher, kids can decide when they’d like to reach certain milestones. Because they set the goals themselves, they are more likely to put in the work needed to reach them.
6. Improve confidence
Becoming good at something helps children develop confidence. Whether it’s shooting a puck, playing a musical instrument or creating a piece of art, learning that they are good at something is one of the most common way a child will develop confidence during their school years.
Music lessons have life long benefits
Kids who take music lessons learn a variety of important life skills. These skills will remain with them, even if they decide to stop taking lessons down the road. For kids who aren’t interested in paying sports, taking music lessons is a perfect alternative that can offer many of the same lessons.
