
If your child is interested in playing the guitar, don’t automatically say “no” just because you think all guitars are expensive. It’s true that adult-sized guitars can cost hundreds and even thousands of dollars, but kid-sized guitars are much less expensive – under $100 in some cases. Guitars for kids are much better for kids to learn on anyway, since they are smaller, lighter and every part of the guitar fits their hands. They also come in fun colors, patterns and styles, so you can find one that fits your child’s personality.
If you don’t want to spoil your child by giving him whatever he wants, try a collaborative method of purchasing the guitar. Make a deal with your child that he can “pay” for half by doing a certain amount of chores or by earning money through babysitting or a paper route. This will teach your child about work, responsibility, and earning and managing money, as well as give him a sense of pride in knowing that he earned his guitar. Look into discount kids guitars to find the most reasonable prices to minimize the impact on his workload and your bank account.

In tough economic times, cities and states are forced to make budget cuts, and school budgets are eventually cut as well. One of the first programs that are cut at schools is the music program. Some may see music education as expendable and not important compared to math, science, history and English, but the benefits of music education are valuable beyond book knowledge. Early musical training helps develop brain areas involved in language and reasoning and helps develop spatial intelligence. Studies show that kids who study the arts do better on standardized tests, like the SAT, and achieve higher grades in high school.
If your child’s music program has been cut or reduced and they no longer have the opportunity to learn how to play an instrument at school, be proactive to ensure that they still get a musical education. Invest in a fun instrument that’s easy to learn how to play: a guitar. There are plenty of guitars for children available to fit your child, and instructional books and simple songs are easy to find at a local store or online. Your child will delight in his or her ability to play music on the guitar, and will reap the benefits of a musical education that they may not have access to at school.