Every child is born with talents, and at our Tampa private school, we help students hone their skills to become the best versions of themselves. If your child is musically inclined, we have good news! Playing an instrument helps the brain in many ways, from overall function to memory recall. If your child is looking for a new hobby, learning an instrument would be a great one to pick up.
Fireworks in the Brain
When you think of brainy children, you may default to mathletes or debate team superstars, but these activities only activate some parts of the brain. The second we hear music, the brain starts firing off in several areas at once. Playing music does this and more, creating fireworks in the brain. Visual, auditory and motor-related areas of the brain light up quickly and stay lit up. Having to think about so much at once, as well as tying in emotions, is like a full-body workout for the brain.
Action in Both Hemispheres
If you ask a musician if they are more right brained or left brained, they can technically say “both.” Playing an instrument combines the technical precision of the left brain with the creativity of the right. Combining these logical and emotional sides brings a human element to music while strengthening the musician’s mind. The corpus callosum, the bridge between the brain hemispheres, is activated by playing music. While practicing music utilizes both sides of the brain, it also helps in several other ways, like improving memory.
Creating and Storing Memories
In addition to having brains that function in both hemispheres, musicians appear to have brains that store memories more efficiently. When learning a song, a musician needs to create, store and recall memories using most of their senses. Musicians tend to compartmentalize memories with labels like conceptual, emotional, audio and visual. This is similar to other arts, but it’s intensified by all the aspects that go into music. The benefits of music to the brain are plentiful, especially in children.
Additional Benefits
While every child has different talents and interests, playing a musical instrument can be beneficial in many ways. Along with improved brain function, the process of learning music improves patience, discipline and time management skills. A child will feel more confident and accomplished after learning music and performing it well. Playing music can even improve social skills, especially if your child is a member of a band. More important to your child, learning and playing music is a fun way to relieve stress.
We believe every child should explore their talents and be given the chance to thrive. At North Tampa Christian Academy, a Tampa private school, the faculty, staff, and families work as a team. Our service-oriented approach builds Christian leaders who think deeply, choose wisely, create beauty, and use their dreams to solve problems. Want to learn more about what makes us different? Contact us today.