Children have turned to music to boost their mood

Let the music play…

Almost two thirds of children have turned to music to boost their mood in the past year.

A study of pre-teens aged 5-12 found that when choosing a new activity, 18 percent said it’s important that it involves music, while 31 percent want to be creative.

“I’ve always found that music – whether it’s singing, dancing or song-writing – is the perfect outlet for me to express myself and it works wonders for my mental health.

“I can definitely relate with those over the past year who’ve been fighting the FOMO by expressing themselves through creativity and music. Shout out all the Finders Of Creative Opportunities.

“I’ve had so much fun getting creative with VIDIYO and making a LEGO version of my track, I’m all about the ‘good vibes’ so I hope this inspires you guys to get involved in spreading 100,000 moments of FOCO by creating their own #VidiyoVibes too.” – Musician, HRVY, who has been sharing his #VidiyoVibes with his followers to spread positivity

Three in ten have enjoyed more opportunities to be creative in the last 12 months, such as writing songs (10 percent), dancing (19 percent), and filming and sharing videos. And 64 percent said these music-related activities have positively impacted their overall mood.

More than four in 10 have discovered new ways to play in the past year, with a third finding new hobbies with their friends virtually. In fact, 32 percent of activities have been online during this time.

HRVY makes an impression on BBC One’s 2020 series of Strictly Come Dancing

It also emerged that more than half of children have been discovering outlets for self-expression and learning via positive mood-boosting activities.

The most enjoyable pastimes were found to revolve around tech, including watching YouTube, playing on apps (37 percent) and taking and editing photos (15 percent). Other new hobbies children have explored include baking (40 percent), drawing (37 percent), playing with building blocks, e.g. LEGO (29 percent), and learning a musical instrument (14 percent).

Scholar and Consultant on the Psychology of Music, Dr Victoria Williamson said: “Combining music and play offers effective mood enhancement, as well as opportunities for fun – which we know is more important now than ever as kids become Finders of Creative Opportunities to combat the challenges of spending more time at home.

“Music-related activities and apps, such as LEGO VIDIYO, also present kids with the opportunity to be self-directed in how they express their creativity by integrating the experiences of improvisation, learning, performance, and connection with others, via the act of sharing their productions.”

The study also found that children have missed seeing friends daily (59 percent), playing in the playground (43 per cent) and after-school clubs (29 per cent). Despite this, almost a third have enjoyed being able to discover new hobbies with their peers virtually.

The research was carried out by The Lego Group to launch its new VIDIYO app for a new trend of ‘Finders of Creative Opportunities’ – FOCOs.