As a parent, you want the best for your children and to provide for their mental, physical and social wellbeing. With more children facing social anxiety in today’s society, music can play a pivotal role in promoting healthy, positive social development as well as preventing and resolving social concerns.
A recent report[i] highlighted links between music and mental wellbeing and how it can be a great mood booster. Music has an incredible ability to help people of all ages – whether you’re dancing, singing or moving to music – and can relieve stress and build social connections, as well as be a fun way to stimulate your brain.
Angie Coates, Founder and CEO of Monkey Music, explains the positive impact of music on children’s mental health and how the franchise network has continued to connect 25,000 families throughout the coronavirus pandemic through music.
“Music is an essential and important part of a child’s life. The earlier children are exposed to music the better it will be for their personal, social and musical growth – taking part in a music group or another music-related activity, will help develop social skills and boost confidence, as well as improve brainpower and memory functions. It will also help children learn that together they can make something extra special that they couldn’t do alone, which promotes a sense of healthy social wellbeing.
“Over the past year, music has been a powerful tool for Monkey Music families, particularly for those who have struggled with anxiety and a feeling of loneliness as a result of COVID-19. When the first national lockdown happened last year, our franchisees moved their music classes online so they could continue to teach the children, albeit virtually. The online classes also offered the children the familiar face of Monkey Music each week in Monkey and Mo, and provided a much needed routine to their weeks.
“This proved to be very popular and became an outlet for children and parents to take control of their feelings and provide a much-needed break from overstimulation and the whirl of daily life. We also provided a support mechanism for parents and carers when classes reconvened in venues after the first lockdown in September, which aided their emotional well-being, not just the children. With classes now back in venue, following the easing of restrictions on 12th April, our Monkey Music families are reunited in a safe, supportive and nurturing environment to meet and enjoy interactive musical activities together”, added Angie.
Franchisee Flick Moorhouse of Monkey Music Oxford has seen first-hand how her music classes have provided her Monkey Music families with positivity, fun and structure in a time of crisis. “This last year has been challenging for many people, but we have been fortunate in that we could continue to teach music online and in person – a real lift for everyone’s mind, body and spirit. When we moved online, we intentionally kept the structure of the lessons as close to our in-person classes as possible as we know children thrive on familiarity and repetition. We’ve also had to become more creative in our lesson planning so the children could still play their own musical instruments or household items and engage with each other.
“In the first lockdown we did lose some of our Monkey Music families as not everyone wanted to attend the classes online but by September we had boosted the numbers back up again to 400 children a week. It remained like this during the third lockdown as everyone realised how enjoyable and entertaining the music classes were for the whole family, siblings and dads included. Our classes became a group experience and, without doubt, contributed to everyone’s wellbeing.
“Although we are back in venue, I have kept one morning per week online as some families are still nervous to come back whilst others have moved abroad but recognise how music is such a valuable resource for them. I really believe that music has opened doors for many of our members and they are now using it across many other activities beyond our classes.”
“As proven by the pandemic, nobody knows what the future holds. Children’s franchises need to achieve a wider awareness of the positive benefits their offering can bring to families and understand the vital role they can play in children’s development and wellbeing, whatever the sector,” added Angie.
“This last year has shown how music can nurture children’s development and wellbeing in a fun and practical way, whether online or in person. Young children need social interaction and play opportunities so now is the time to consider starting a business in this sector and make a real difference to
