"Formal music practice involves several cognitively challenging elements (e.g., long periods of controlled attention, keeping musical passages in working memory)," Dr. Heshmat wrote in Psychology Today. "For example, a study showed that increased reliance upon sustained attention was attributed to boosts in working memory in persons over 60 who received piano training (six months) compared to those who did not receive piano training."

Learning an instrument takes focus and practice. By learning how to play an instrument, children have to focus on the music, which improves their concentration skills and gives them a lesson in self-discipline. When they see their improvements over time, they also realize benefits come from that hard work they put in. This is a lesson that they can apply to other areas of their lives, as well.

Language Development

A great deal of research has shown that learning music leads to improved brain functioning, including language development. This is likely because music strengthens the left part of the brain, which is responsible for language.

"The development of language over time tends to enhance parts of the brain that help process music," Dr. Kyle Pruett, clinical professor of child psychiatry at Yale School of Medicine and a practicing musician, told PBS. "Language competence is at the root of social competence. Musical experience strengthens the capacity to be verbally competent."

Music may also help when it comes to learning foreign languages. A recent Stanford study compared foreign language-learning skills between lifelong musicians and people who never learned an instrument. In every measure, the musicians beat the non-musicians.

Spatial-Temporal Skills

Spatial ability helps people understand and remember the spatial relations among objects. According to researchers at Johns Hopkins University, "spatial ability can be viewed as a unique type of intelligence distinguishable from other forms of intelligence, such as verbal ability, reasoning ability, and memory skills."

And music can help children improve in several areas of spatial ability.

Spatial memory, spatial recognition, mental rotation, and spatial visualization are enhanced by music instruction, according to a meta-analysis published in the Journal of Aesthetic Education that looked at 15 studies.

"Active music instruction lasting two years or less was related to improved performance on spatial-temporal measures," researcher Louis Hetland wrote. "Additionally, music instruction had a greater impact on younger children, programs including standard notation enhanced performance more than those without standard notation, and one-on-one lessons were more effective than group instruction."

Start Early

Children can start taking semi-formal music lessons as early as three, according to Dr. Robert A. Cutietta, the Dean of the University of Southern California's School of Music. But you can start cultivating their interest in music sooner than that.

"Informal activities with music should start soon after birth, followed by more systematic classes around age three, and lessons with the goal of learning the instrument should start between six and nine," Cutietta says. "Keep in mind that these are only guidelines; exceptions will undoubtedly occur based on the child and/or teacher. Musical experience at an early age is extremely important in a child's developmental process. Like riding a bike or learning a language, these skills can be learned later in life, but they will never be 'natural' in the way that is so important for fluid musical performance."