The benefits of learning a musical instrument are vast! As students invest their time and efforts over weeks, months and years, they experience not only the joy of making music, but cultivate many invaluable, transferrable, and lifelong skills as well!
In the process of learning an instrument, students learn perseverance, time management, build executive functioning skills, and build confidence as they engage in mastery learning, an essential aspect of musical growth.
Students who play in an ensemble setting develop collaborative learning skills and can form enduring friendships around an invaluable shared experience.

Here are just a few tips for helping your student get off to a great start this fall, whether they are just beginning on their musical journey, or are a few years along the path!
1. Carefully examine all commitments so as to not overextend your student's and familiy's resources of time and energy.
2. At each stage of study, whether elementary, middle school school or high school, try to set aside some focused time with your student to plan strategies for time management that will help them to be successful in their music study. Consistent, quality practice time yields significant progress, which in itself is highly motivating!
3. This is very important: learning an instrument requires a degree of vulnerability. As parents and grandparents, your role of providing encouragment at every step of the way is of great value! 
4. Try to help your student choose a time of day to practice in which they can be consistent. Having a planner or notebook of some sort is a great tool to document your student's practice, as well as weekly lesson notes.
5. With the guidance of your child's teacher, help your students find opportunities to share their music--not just in formal performances, but also in informal settings with family, friends, or in the community.
Wishing all students a successful start to a new year of musical growth!

Jacquie