Parents of children diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder face enormous challenges. How do you educate a child who can’t seem to pay attention, has difficulty following directions, who daydreams in the classroom, who is disorganized and seems to be in constant motion? How can you teach them to get along with their peers when they have trouble taking turns and when they act and speak without thinking? Children with ADD often have a hard time setting goals, managing their time, fostering healthy social relationships and building normal self esteem.
It may seem counterintuitive, therefore, to enroll your ADD child in a music lesson. After all, music lessons represent yet another confinement on that constantly-moving body, another structured activity for them to be distracted from, and another set of rules for them to fail to observe. Are music lessons setting up your ADD child for failure?
Take the cue from your child. Many ADD children have normal–or better than normal–attention spans, when they engage in an activity of their own choosing. If your child loves music and wants to learn to play an instrument, give them the opportunity! Music as a pastime can be a natural fit for an ADD child: after all, music speaks to the spontaneous, intuitive and impulsive side in all of us.
What can your ADD child gain from music lessons?
A safe, positive relationship with an adult
Half an hour with a kind, interested adult may provide your child with one of the best social interactions they have had in their entire week. Before enrolling your child in lessons, choose the teacher carefully. It is a plus if the teacher has had experience with an ADD child, but it does not need to be a prerequisite. Look for a teacher who is consistent with routines and who can give instructions clearly, but can also be flexible to meet your child’s needs. Your child will have a better chance of success if the teacher is patient and exhibits a positive, tolerant, and encouraging style. Be sure to share any information with the instructor which will help them adapt the lessons to suit your child’s needs.
A creative outlet for an active imagination.
Many ADD children are incredibly creative! Music can be a tremendously rewarding activity for a child who likes to “think outside of the box” and do things just a little bit differently than everybody else. Music lessons can provide a learning experience where exploration and “breaking the rules” is not only tolerated but encouraged and rewarded.
One-to-one instruction.
Private music lessons provide an ideal learning environment for a child who is over-stimulated by the hubbub of a classroom. Your child’s distractibility is more easily managed with a teacher one-to-one, and challenges with auditory and sensory integration are minimized when the only voices belong to your child and their teacher. Most children make amazing progress with individual instruction and attention, ADD children are no different.
Concentration
Learning a musical instrument develops concentration for all students. If your child is already intrigued with music, you may find that they actually spend a great deal of time with their instrument. Allow some flexibility with practice time; your child may need more frequent, shorter practice sessions. If your child becomes excited about a particular piece of music or a musical project, however, you may find that they are practicing as much as–or more than–any other student.
Experiential Learning
Musical instruction utilizes hands-on, learn-by-doing style of learning. Children with ADD often learn more effectively through active interaction and engagement as opposed to reading a book or passively listening to a teacher in the classroom. Your child’s music teacher may want to be creative in designing your child’s repertoire, be flexible with curriculum, and be prepared to take exploratory detours.
Relaxation
Playing a musical instrument naturally relaxes us, and for a child who is overly active it can provide a way to self-calm. Some studies have shown that certain types of music can even lower heart rate and blood pressure! The physical component of playing some instruments can also a great way for an active child to release excess energy.
Patience
Patience is yet another benefit to learning a musical instrument. ADD children often struggle with a low frustration level. A wise teacher will offer a new piece of music to your child in small chunks; this enables the student to be successful in overcoming small obstacles and to learn perseverance. It is a great way to build confidence and patience, which will help your child later in life when bigger challenges arise.
Self Esteem
Many ADD children struggle with self esteem because they receive far more negative messages about their behavior than most children do: sit still, stop talking, don’t interrupt, wait your turn, stop fidgeting, follow directions. Excelling in an activity such as music can help to counterbalance that negative message. Music can provide your child with a true accomplishment, and with that a sense of being a competent and worthy human being.
Social growth
ADD children often have trouble “fitting in” with their peers. Children who excel in at least one thing are more likely to earn the regard and respect of others, and are less likely to be left on the fringes of their social milieu. You may want to encourage your musical child to join additional music groups to increase opportunities for your child to develop their social network.
Every child has strengths and areas they need to improve. The most effective way for your child to surmount challenges is to develop their talents and passions. If your child’s passion is music, our one-to-one music lessons can help.