Encouraging your child to pursue an extra-curricular activity will help them develop a variety of key skills and character traits that they can transfer to many aspects of their life. Learning an instrument, for example, will help them become more confident, especially if they perform in front of others and receive the praise and applause that comes with it. A girls’ prep school in Oxford explore more of the benefits of learning an instrument below.
If your child starts learning an instrument, they will develop time management skills by having to juggle a busy schedule to fit in lessons and practise time. What’s more, they will learn the importance of determination and sticking at something, even when it feels challenging. This will really help them when they start taking exams at school and feel like giving up. Essentially, learning an instrument will help your child appreciate that they can do anything they set their mind to, as
long as they put in the effort.
Music can have calming effects and learning an instrument can help your child take their mind off the pressures of school life and friendships problems. Having a creative outlet to express themselves will help them balance out any of the more difficult aspects of life. Furthermore, universities and employers look favourably on an applicant who can demonstrate commitments outside of school, because it shows that they have something about them.
Although there are clearly lots of positive reasons why a child should learn an instrument, it’s only worth encouraging if it’s something that actually interests them. There are so many clubs and activities that they might be better suited to, including sport and drama. If you encourage your child to do something they don’t want to do, it may lead to resentment, and will basically just be a waste of everyone’s time and your money. Chat to your child and find out what actually interests them and be sure to include them in the decision.
*This is a collaborative post.
