I adored piano lessons as a child and, despite having limited time to practice, get a real kick of of returning to them in later life. I can play a few ditties and it moves my head to a different space. My daughter, however, is more of dancer or a drummer or a all-round messer and doesn't really like her lessons as much as her mammy. It's a pity because she's musical - has a good ear, but a bad attitude!
But I've been fairly adamant that, not only should an all-round education include an instrument, but that it's good for your head - a salve for the soul and a stick for learning. I've posted before on the mounting evidence that music lessons in childhood help the brain in myriad ways. In fact, the advantages of learning to play music as a child can endure into old age (phew!). Open Culture has a fantastic post that presents a really nice smattering of the research available.
So to my seven year old: sorry, but you'll thank me when you're old and grey and your inchinn's still intact!
I started learning violin at 3 and I've always been fascinated by the impact it's had on my life. I came across research recently that suggested children who have learned classical instruments from a young age have a much stronger inner-critic (something I definitely have!) I wonder if that critic also motivates a child to push harder, learn more, strive to achieve etc.... or in a word, be a perfectionist!
ReplyDeleteThat's really interesting! I wonder also if it's also evidencing the connection between heightened creativity and the ability to criticise your own work or "creations".
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