piano lessons, but rather classes that allow them to explore musical instruments and develop music-related skills.

When deciding on an instrument, start with your child’s personality. A quiet child may not be as happy playing the drums, while an active kid might love hitting the xylophone keys or shaking maracas.

Develops motor skills

Music classes engage toddlers in a whole body experience that uses movement to reinforce learning concepts like rhythm, language patterns, speech sounds and syntax. These movements help to strengthen muscles used for balance and posture and improve the ability to pay attention, self-control, and move in coordination with others.

Music lessons also encourage children to use their fingers in ways that improve fine motor skills. This is important for the development of small fingers, which are necessary for handwriting and other finger-dependent tasks. This is especially true for instruments that require the child to play both hands at once, such as drums or maracas.

Studies show that music lessons can help to increase the blood flow to the brain, enhancing cognitive abilities and memory. In addition, children who learn a musical instrument can develop better concentration, which helps with reading and math. The combination of these positive effects makes it a great idea to enroll your toddler in a music class today!

Develops listening skills

Developing an ear for music enhances your child’s natural ability to decode sounds and words. Whether they are listening to a recording or singing with the entire class, children learn to follow beats and rhythms, sing in tune, and put together melodies. These skills are a key foundation for literacy and numeracy.

When a young child practices an instrument for a prolonged period of time, they must develop patience, focus and self-discipline. They also gain an understanding of how to persist when they encounter obstacles. This experience gives them an edge in a competitive world.

At Merriam, our preschool music classes for 3 year olds incorporate a wide variety of musical genres and instruments. Our group enrichment classes, such as Rhythm & Twos and Here Comes Treble, teach toddlers to put rhythm and pitch together, explore movement and dance, and even start piano lessons! These classes are a great choice for mixed-age siblings to enjoy.

Develops social skills

Music-making gives children the opportunity to interact alongside peers during instrument play and group activities like circle dances. It also encourages them to learn the social rules of playing together, such as taking turns and following directions.

Laurel Trainor, director of the McMaster Institute for Music and the Mind, says that infants who participate in hands-on music classes learn about emotions like anger, sadness, happiness and fear, which helps them develop empathy later on. This, she explains, is because their brains are in a “sensitive period” of development, similar to the one that allows them to pick up rhythm and absolute pitch.

Jaxon’s mom, Schnider, says that participating in music classes has made him more comfortable with loud sounds. He’ll still occasionally cry if there are drums nearby, but other sounds don’t seem to frighten him as much anymore. He might even start asking for drum lessons once he’s older!

Develops self-esteem

While the positive effects of music and dance classes are well documented, a less-known benefit is the positive impact it can have on children’s self-esteem. Studies show that children who play a musical instrument have higher self-esteem and feel more confident than those who don’t.

This sense of confidence and accomplishment is especially true for young toddlers. The very act of making music is empowering. A baby’s huge toothless grin as she makes her rattle go chicka chicka or a toddler’s careful tap on the xylophone can give them the sense that they are smart and capable.

When it comes to picking an instrument, be sure to let your child decide. Forcing them to choose an instrument before they are ready can backfire and actually make them less interested in their lessons. Instead, be willing to give them the opportunity to try a variety of instruments until they find one they are drawn to and enjoy playing. This is a great way for them to develop their musical identity and become committed to their lessons.