Why Music Education Is Worth Taking Seriously
by Alexander Tidd
Yes, your kid banging on a saucepan with a wooden spoon is adorable. But what if we gave them an actual instrument and a little instruction? What if we treated music not just as something fun to dabble in, but as a real skill worth developing? Because it is. Music isn’t just joyful noise—it’s brain fuel, teamwork training, emotional regulation, and a lifelong superpower all wrapped into one.
We love to say that kids should try music “just for fun,” and that’s great as a starting point. But here’s the truth: learning to play and sing with skill—actual skill—is an investment that pays off in big, meaningful ways, even if your child doesn’t grow up to headline a world tour.
More Than Just Notes and Rhythms
Study after study confirms what music teachers have known for generations: learning to play an instrument boosts a child’s brain. Kids who study music show stronger language development, better memory, sharper attention spans, and even improved math skills. Why? Because music demands that the brain multitask in the best possible way. Reading notes, keeping rhythm, listening closely, and controlling small muscle movements all at once? That’s some serious cognitive gymnastics.
Singing in tune, meanwhile, isn’t just about hitting the right pitch. It’s about breath control, emotional expression, and learning to listen to your own body and voice. Kids who sing and play regularly are more likely to develop strong listening skills and patience—yes, actual patience. Imagine that.
A Passport for Life
Here’s the part that gets me as a parent. Music is one of those rare skills that gets better with age, not worse. A kid who learns to play now might end up joining their high school jazz band, picking up the guitar in college, or becoming the kind of adult who unwinds by playing piano after work. Even if they stop for years, the muscle memory, the understanding, the love of music—it stays. It’s there when they need it. How many other activities can we say that about?
Plus, music is portable. It’s flexible. You don’t need to be part of a team or pay for league fees every season. A trumpet, a keyboard, a voice—these are things you can carry with you, figuratively and literally, wherever life takes you.
Music Is a Team Sport
One of the most underrated parts of learning music is what happens when kids do it together. Playing in a band, orchestra, or choir means listening to others, knowing when to take the lead, and when to fall back and support. It’s collaboration in action, with actual harmony.
When you sing in a group, you learn to blend. When you play in an ensemble, you’re not just hitting your own notes—you’re helping everyone else sound better too. It’s not that different from learning to pass the ball or run a play in sports, but with way fewer shin injuries.
Even solo musicians often practice in group lessons or recitals, where they get the benefit of cheering each other on. Music teaches kids to lift each other up—and that is something every kid needs more of.
Balance Matters
Now, before you rush to sign your child up for six weekly lessons and a chamber music summer camp, let’s take a breath. Not every kid wants or needs a packed extracurricular schedule. And even the most promising young violinist still needs time to play with Legos, run in the grass, and just do nothing. Pushing too hard can turn music into a chore instead of a joy.
If your child is showing signs of musical interest—like singing constantly, picking out tunes by ear, or drumming on everything in sight—follow their lead. Start with lessons once a week and let it grow from there. If they’re less sure, consider group classes, school programs, or casual at-home music time before you go full Beethoven.
And most importantly, remember: learning with skill doesn’t have to mean perfection or pressure. It means taking it seriously enough to practice, to get better, and to stick with it when it gets hard—without crushing the love of it.
Making Room for Music Makes Room for Joy
In a world filled with screens, stress, and ever-shifting schedules, music offers something grounding. It asks for attention and gives back joy. Whether your kid ends up composing symphonies or just strumming their guitar at bedtime, the act of learning to play or sing well is never wasted.
You’re not just raising a future musician. You’re raising a kid who knows how to express emotion, how to collaborate, how to persevere, and how to find beauty in the small moments. That’s worth a few squeaky notes and off-key scales.
So if you’ve been on the fence about investing time and energy into music for your child, take this as your gentle nudge. Let them explore. Encourage practice. Celebrate progress. And maybe, pick up an instrument yourself while you’re at it. You might be surprised at the harmony you find.
