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Believe it or not, March Break can be a divisive holiday. For kids, the week-long holiday from school is anticipated with excitement. Ask most parents, however, and you’ll find the break is awaited with a tiny bit of trepidation. It’s not always easy to keep your children occupied away from school, especially if aren’t planning on using the break as a family vacation to sunnier climes. If you’re planning a staycation this year, make the most of their time out of the classroom and sign them up for private music lessons.

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But first things first — you’ll have to figure out which instrument they want to learn. If you make the choice for them, you might just doom their musical career from the start. While keyboard, guitar, and violin are all popular choices regardless of age, you’ll want to come to this decision together. By letting them have input in the musical instrument that they choose, you’re increasing the chances of them enjoying their instrument and sticking with it. First draw boundaries with size, budget, or sound (if you live in an old apartment drums might not be a good idea!), then let them find something that hits all of your targets.

Once you have an instrument in mind, then you can find a fun and capable teacher. By virtue of living in Canada, you’re already off to a great start. One of the nation’s largest music store franchises facilitates beginner music lessons for all ages. With over 50 locations across the country, there’s bound to be a Long & McQuade store that can help you find an excellent instructor for your children. You can check out Long-mcquade.com/lessons/ and scroll through the kinds of lessons they provide. From beginner guitar lessons to vocal lessons and everything in between, you can find an instrument with only a few clicks of your touchpad.

These lessons can be set up to start the week of March Break, and you can continue to take them throughout the years. A skilled professional instructor will be able to modify their lessons to create a supportive and creative environment no matter what skill level your children are, so they’ll be able to take them from the basics to high level RCM examinations and performances.

The immediate effects of their lessons are giving them something to focus on during the March Break and keeping them out of your hair as a convenient by-product.But ifthey manage to stick with their musical education long term, they’re learning an entirely new skillset that can have a profound effect on their life in and out of school. Recent neurological studies have shown those who learn how to read and play music develop the parts of the brain responsible for problem solving and language. As a result, most students who take private music lessons end up out-performing their non-musical class mates.

If you’re ready to see what learning the guitar, piano, or tuba can do for your children, start looking at the lessons available in your area. At the very least, they’ll give your kids something to focus on during the March Break.

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