7 reasons to add singing to your child’s after-school activities

Extracurricular activities are an integral part of a child’s development. They are all the more necessary now as the pandemic is keeping kids homebound, allowing very little scope for entertainment or interaction with peers. But choosing the right after-school activity for your little one can be a tricky task with so many options at hand. While the selection should be based on your child’s interest and abilities, enrolling him in an online singing class can be considered. Vocal lessons or training in any musical instrument for that matter has a magical impact on us. In fact, scientific studies suggest that singing is good for our body and mind in more ways than one. According to a five-year-long research conducted by the University of Southern California, taking music lessons from the age of six or seven result in the development of brain areas associated with reading skills, speech perception and language development. 

Singing lessons may not make your child a rock star, but she may have an edge over others in terms of learning, communication and interpersonal skills. Here, we explore the benefits kids can reap from their vocal and non-vocal music lessons.  

Enhances academic skills 
Music lessons can help your child understand the principles of mathematics and physics better. Beat, rhythm, and scales, help kids grasp the concepts of division, fractions, and patterns. Learning to play certain musical instruments, on the other hand, introduce them to some principles of physics. For example, strumming the strings of a guitar or violin helps them understand about harmonic and sympathetic vibrations. Non-string instruments like drums also introduce children to these concepts of science.  

Boosts memory 
Singing lessons require repeated practice. Repeating the same task regularly improves retention capacity or memory. While singing, the left side of your child’s brain is exercised. This enhances verbal memory.  

Improves communication skills 
Vocal lessons involve training in articulation and diction and intonation among others. These skills help your child to be a good orator, reader and communicator. Singing also boosts other skills like recognition of body language and facial recognition which go a long way in helping in kids improvising, a necessary attribute of good communication. All these, in turn, help them build strong relationships.  

Inculcates discipline 
Mastering music requires a routinised practice, strict discipline, dedication and immense concentration. Vocal lessons also enable students process information in an effective and sensitive manner, inculcating in them the tenacity to work hard.  

Promotes patience and focus 
Singing or playing an instrument requires perseverance as students need hours, months and years of practice to reach the desired level of perfection. Also, regular rehearsals necessitate focussed attention. 

Improves self-esteem 
In a singing class, your child will learn to accept constructive criticism and use negative feedback for positive changes. This plays a crucial role in building self-esteem. Music classes also teach your child two other important lessons: Nobody is perfect and there is always room for improvement.  

Develops a sense of belonging 
In a study published in Frontiers in Psychology, it was revealed that kids involved in singing or any other musical activity develop a strong sense of belonging and social inclusion. A possible explanation for this could be the release of the bonding hormone oxytocin triggered by singing.