Music education can save lives!
We all know the importance of music education. It comes as no surprise that taking music lessons has been shown to aid in the development process of a child. Music lessons help in the development of speaking and reading skills. Children who study music will find an increase in their school grades. They have more confidence, discipline, focus, memory, and better social skills.
Music can save lives for children who do not fit in academically in school and have not yet found their passion or motivation. If a child struggles to find her passion, she often ends up in less than ideal situations (in trouble). Children need to find good things at an early age. “Some children need to move to think”, (Dr. Ken Robinson). They can’t be tied to a desk all day. They can learn best through visual examples, audio examples, or they can learn best through kinesthetic learning. Some students learn best by doing. Finding a music instructor who understands this is imperative.
We have had many students over the years come to us and don’t know what they like, or what they are good at, and they are not doing well in school. They have never taken music lessons before and his parents are desperate to find something that will interest their son. Often when we find an instrument that the student feels a connection to, we see a total change in their personality. Given the opportunity, music helps point students in the right direction. It’s not just about learning songs or technique on the instrument. Music helps put a whole new focus on the life of that previously missing student. We notice a change in his whole being. His focus changes completely. There’s a full trailer!! The student is more positive, proactive, confident and we notice an increase in her school grades (and her interest in school). They are more concerned and focused on their future, and often the friends they hang out with, if they are negative, also change.
“Show me your friends and I’ll show you your future.”
“You are who you hang out with.”
I used to hate hearing this as a kid, but looking back now, and after years of teaching and watching students grow, it’s amazing how true this statement is. A great instructor can be this positive role model… this friend.
It is absolutely critical that a child begins to find what they are good at, at an early age. Don’t rely on the school system to find your child’s passion. You, the parent, must play a role in this process and development. If your son or daughter shows interest in music, commercials, art, cinema… feed that passion!! Buy them movies, magazines on that topic, take them to the library so they can find books about what they love, or take them to a live show. Find someone in that field who can empower and inspire them to take it further.
Lastly, for your child to believe that they are inadequate, not worthy, not smart, or will never succeed just because their school grades are low is a big mistake!
There are numerous successful business owners who had C averages or less in school, who are now running very successful businesses, internationally and globally, who have A+ students with bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees working for them. them.