Are you contemplating beginning piano lessons for your little one?

Are piano lessons a good return on investment? If you’re thinking about signing your little one up for piano lessons and are located in the city of Pittsburgh, PA, you’re making a fantastic decision! Not only are piano lessons a fun and engaging activity for kids, but they also have tons of benefits for their brain development. In this blog post, we’ll talk about some of the science behind why piano lessons are so great for kids, and provide some examples of research to back it up.

Why might piano lessons be a good idea for kids?

Playing the piano can improve cognitive skills in kids

First and foremost, piano lessons are great for boosting kids’ cognitive abilities. One study published in the Journal of Neuroscience found that kids who took piano lessons had bigger improvements in their memory and spatial-temporal skills than those who didn’t have musical training. These skills are super important for a ton of things, like problem-solving and decision-making, and even reading and math. Check out this video of my student play the “Stopwatch” piano game. It is harder than it looks!

Studying the piano can be beneficial for children’s emotional growth

Piano lessons are also awesome for kids’ emotional development. A study published in the Journal of Positive Psychology found that kids who took piano lessons had bigger increases in their self-esteem and self-concept than those who didn’t have musical training. This is probably because playing the piano is a big accomplishment and kids feel proud of themselves when they learn something new and create beautiful music. Check out this video of one of my talented students performing his recital piece:

Playing the piano can enhance kids’ coordination and physical abilities

Piano lessons are also great for kids’ coordination and motor skills. A study published in the journal Psychology of Music found that kids who took piano lessons had bigger improvements in their fine motor skills than those who didn’t have musical training. This is important not just for playing the piano, but also for things like writing, drawing, and sports.

Studying the piano can improve children’s language development

Piano lessons can also help kids with their language abilities. A study published in the journal Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences found that kids who took piano lessons had bigger improvements in their reading and verbal abilities than those who didn’t have musical training. This is probably because playing the piano involves reading and interpreting written music, which can help kids develop their literacy skills. Check out my lovely student making a mistake and jumping right back into the wagon!

Piano lessons can foster a lifelong love of music and the arts

Finally, studying the piano can encourage a lifelong interest in music and the arts in children. A study published in the journal Music Education Research found that kids who took piano lessons were more likely to keep participating in musical activities as adults than those who didn’t have musical training. This can provide lots of benefits for people’s overall well-being and happiness throughout their lives.

In conclusion, piano lessons are a fantastic activity for kids! They have lots of benefits for their brain development, like improved cognitive abilities, emotional development, coordination and motor skills, language abilities, and a lifelong love of music and the arts. If you are in the Greater Pittsburgh, PA area, why not sign your child up for piano lessons today? With my piano teaching methods and expertise, combined with my two Master’s degrees from Carnegie Mellon University, your children will have fun learning a new skill while also enhancing their cognitive abilities. Let’s start making beautiful music together. Please visit https://lhernandezpiano.com/contact to schedule an interview with Luis Hernandez. If you would like to see references/reviews, click HERE.