Many parents believe that music can be a powerful ally in educating their children. Starting music lessons and playing an instrument for children is very positive for their creative, intellectual, auditory, sensory, speech and motor development. They also learn to express their emotions and interests in a different way, something that can help them to feel more confident when interacting with others.
Music education is a fun way to learn and can facilitate learning in other subjects. Especially in the literacy stage, where it is common to use rhymes or melodies to stimulate them. It also increases their ability to concentrate, which is essential in the first stage of their education.
But there are many doubts that can arise when introducing children to music. The first thing we have to be clear about is that we cannot force them, if they see it as an imposition, we can generate the opposite effect. Music can help us if we understand it as something fun, especially at an early age. We cannot force them to play an instrument in their music classes, they should be the ones to decide if they want to and which one they like.
Even so, some instruments are easier to start playing than others as they require less complexity to produce simple melodies or rhythms. Small xylophones, pianos, drums, bongos or other percussion instruments can work well between the ages of 2 and 5.
From the age of 6 they can start with something more complex such as the clarinet, drum, violin, guitar or piano. These instruments will most likely accompany them throughout their musical life.
We show you in detail some of the simplest and most fun instruments to start playing. They are also the ones that offer the most tutors and if you want you can find music lessons:
There are many possibilities when it comes to choosing an instrument and these are just a few examples. Remember that the more motivated children are when it comes to learning, the easier it will be to instil a passion for music.
Try talking to someone who already knows how to play or to a music tutor. And above all, don't despair if they get bored - sometimes this kind of learning is a matter of trial and error. It is very common to start with an instrument and lose interest, so it is a good idea to explore the second-hand market and not invest too much money at the beginning.