Gaining mastery of a musical instrument is no small feat, especially for children. Studies show that children who have learnt how to play an instrument possess unique cognitive abilities and see a substantial rise in their intelligence quotients.

 
The benefits of having your child learn how to play a musical instrument are endless. Here are some vital reasons your child should learn how to play an instrument.
 
One of the most important attributes your child will learn from gaining mastery of an instrument is patience and commitment, because learning an instrument requires loads of time and effort. It is bound to help improve the resolve and endurance level of your ward. This is of great essence, as patience and commitment are key life coping skills your ward will definitely have to apply during various stages of his or her growth.
 
While children continually learn and practice, they might occasionally feel the need to give up. As a guardian, it is important you are always on hand to offer them the right amount of encouragement to keep on going.
 
Learning instruments improve your child’s ability to focus. Many children find it difficult to keep their attention on a particular task for lengthy periods of time. Gaining mastery of musical instruments helps to improve brain development and neural activity. This improves memory retention and helps children to place their minds on a specific goal. This development would definitely have a positive influence on their academic performances in tests and examinations. As a guardian, you can make an input by ensuring that all potential distractions during their practice time are completely evaded.
 
When your child learns how to play a musical instrument, it will definitely improve his or her self-esteem. When your ward is able to prove that he or she can successfully embark on the journey of specialising in an instrument, it will give him or her the mindset that he or she can go on to do greater things and achieve similar success in any task that he or she chooses to commit to. This is the kind of mindset your ward should develop in order to have the right career choices.
 
As a parent, it is important to pitch the idea of learning a musical instrument to your child very early. It could be just the right initiative to spark an all-round improvement in your ward. The choice of which instrument to play should be made by your ward.
 
Avoid discouraging them from taking on any instruments you feel might be too ‘challenging’ or ‘cumbersome’ for them. Do not place a roof on the abilities of your ward. Also, try to find a mentor for your child for whichever instrument he or she chooses to learn – someone he or she can aspire to be like. Finally, always afford your child the opportunity to show off his or her skills in front of the family and even friends. This often serves as the boost he or she needs to gain confidence in his or her abilities.