Emotional & Behavioural Benefits of Playing an Instrument
Yesterday, I posted about the physical benefits learning a musical instrument can have on your brain. Today, I would like to discuss the other side of the coin: the emotion and behavioural benefits.
I stumbled across this very interesting article by Amy Ellis Nutt earlier in the year (read it here). It offers a brief summary of an intensive study that was published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychology.
232 healthy children aged between 6 and 18 years old underwent MRI scanning and behavioural testing every 2 years on 3 separate occasions. The study found that there was a direct relationship between the amount of music training completed and attention span, anxiety management and emotional control. Those who studied an instrument for a longer period of time showed greater improvements in all three areas.
As the scientific studies continue, it seems the benefits of learning an instrument are endless!