Group music lessons for children aged 1–3 improve accompanying parents’ moods

This study investigated the improvement in parents’ moods when attending group music lessons targeting their children aged 1–3 years. A questionnaire survey of parents’ moods was conducted under three conditions: immediately before and after the lesson, and on a non-lesson day. Results suggested that group music lessons for children enhanced parents’ positive mood and reduced anxiety. Thus, even peripheral participation in children’s group music lessons can be beneficial for parents. In addition, such mood improvements were more significant in the parents whose everyday state anxiety was high than in parents whose state anxiety was low. Since only few parents answered that their motivation in taking the lesson was to benefit themselves, the results of the study suggest side effects of children’s group music lessons for parents. These imply the potential benefits of musical activities for non-primary targeted participants who are not clearly aware of the positive musical effects for themselves.