In this post I want to speak from my personal experience with children. To me, one of the best thing about learning an instrument is to build up a "can-do attitude" and a habit of overcoming challenges.
Please allow me to explain.
I read this from books and heard from successful people I know:
First of all, successful people, such as entrepreneurs, artists, etc, worked their way to success for their passion, instead of laboring only for fame and money.
Second, they have an interesting attitude when they face challenges and difficult situations:
They feel excited about having the opportunity to overcome a challenge, instead of feeling intimidated or frustrated. (Isn't this something?) In fact, they live for the thrill of conquering obstacles and finishing missions impossible. Challenges make life fun.
Wait a sec, what do these have to do with learning music?
A whole lot.
A child usually takes weekly lessons while learning to play an instrument. Every week the teacher would give the student one or more songs to practice. It takes one to several weeks to learn a song and be able to play it in a presentable way. Then the student is rewarded by compliments from the teacher and parents, and some new songs. And the saga continues.
Over the years, the student not only progresses in his/her skill and knowledge, they also develops a habit of having new challenges and goals (new songs) and overcoming them on a regular basis. The student would know, consciously or subconsciously, he/she can overcome challenges. And challenges can be fun! To me, as a teacher and a parent, this mentality is invaluable. It is even more important than being able to play the instrument!
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