Parents often ask whether it is better to sign their child up for art classes, chess club, or music lessons. Each discipline has a strong reputation for helping children grow intellectually and creatively, but is one truly better than the others? The truth is that each pursuit offers unique benefits, and exposure to all three can help children develop into well-rounded learners.
The Benefits of Art
Art classes give children the chance to work with color, shape, and form. This develops not only their creative voice but also important motor skills. Drawing and painting require fine hand movements that strengthen coordination, while sculpture and mixed-media projects engage larger physical motions and spatial reasoning.
Studies in education research have shown that students who engage in visual art perform better on tasks that demand divergent thinking, a skill tied to problem-solving and innovation. Art also provides a safe space for self-expression. Children often discover that they can communicate emotions visually before they have the vocabulary to explain them. This can build resilience, empathy, and confidence, qualities that transfer into everyday life.
The Benefits of Chess
Chess may not appear creative on the surface, but it pushes children to think ahead, manage risk, and adapt to new circumstances quickly. The game improves concentration and patience, since each move requires both calculation and foresight. Children learn that their decisions have consequences, which is a valuable lesson that carries over into academics and personal choices.
Research published in The Journal of Chess Research and other educational studies shows that chess training can improve mathematical ability, particularly in pattern recognition and logical reasoning. School programs that incorporate chess often report gains in student focus and behavior, since the game rewards planning over impulsivity. For children who thrive on strategy, chess provides a structured way to challenge the mind while also teaching sportsmanship and perseverance.
It’s also worth noting that the cost of chess is almost zero! Contrast that with something like piano lessons in Sunnyvale, where you’ll need to buy an instrument. Chess is nearly free, even if you take lessons.
The Benefits of Music
Music study combines the physical, intellectual, and emotional in a way few other activities do. Learning an instrument builds coordination between hands, eyes, and ears. Reading notation develops literacy-like skills that improve pattern recognition. Practicing regularly strengthens self-discipline, while ensemble playing builds teamwork and listening skills.
Several long-term studies suggest that children who study music demonstrate stronger verbal memory and higher standardized test scores. A well-cited study from the University of Toronto found that children given weekly music lessons showed larger increases in IQ than peers involved in drama or non-arts extracurriculars. Beyond measurable cognitive benefits, music also nurtures emotional intelligence. Children learn to listen for nuance, respond expressively, and manage performance anxiety, all valuable life skills.
For families interested in starting lessons, there are excellent local options like Piano lessons Charlotte, NC, voice lessons at your local music school, or even a band program in your neighborhood. All offer high-quality instruction for children at every level.
Why Exposure to All Three Matters
It may be tempting to choose one discipline and specialize early, but many educators believe children benefit most from trying all three. Art, chess, and music each emphasize different modes of thinking: creative expression, logical analysis, and disciplined performance. Together, they form a well-rounded toolkit.
For example, a child who learns to draw might use that spatial awareness in chess when visualizing moves on the board. A chess player’s concentration could help in mastering a difficult piano passage. A music student’s ear for rhythm and phrasing might transfer to artistic projects that depend on balance and proportion. Rather than competing, these activities reinforce one another.
Practical Considerations for Parents
While it is clear that all three pursuits are beneficial, parents must also consider practical matters such as time, cost, and a child’s personal interests. Lessons in any of these areas require commitment, and overscheduling can lead to burnout. A good starting point is to introduce children to each discipline in a low-pressure setting. A summer art camp, a school chess club, or a trial music lesson can reveal what sparks lasting enthusiasm.
Parents should also remember that switching between activities over the years is normal. A child might begin with chess, later move into music, and eventually circle back to art in high school. Each stage can leave a mark on the child’s abilities and personality in unique ways.
So, Which Is Better?
The question of whether kids should learn art, chess, or music has no single answer. Art builds creativity and emotional expression. Chess strengthens logical thinking and focus. Music unites physical coordination, intellect, and emotion in a way that develops both discipline and artistry. Each pursuit offers something valuable, and together they prepare children to thrive in school and beyond.
Rather than choosing only one, the best path may be to give children access to all three at different points in their lives. This approach honors their natural curiosity, supports broad intellectual growth, and gives them a wide set of tools for self-expression and problem-solving.
Also Read: How Personalized Learning Is Changing Education Forever
