Nearly two thirds of children have turned to music to boost their mood in the past year, new research claims.
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A study of 1,000 pre-teens aged 5 to12 found that when choosing a new activity, 18 per cent said it’s important that it involves music, while 31 per cent want to be creative.
Three in 10 have enjoyed more opportunities to be creative in the last 12 months, such as writing songs (10 per cent), dancing (19 per cent) and filming and sharing videos.
And 64 per cent 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 per cent of activities have been online during this time.
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 per cent) and taking and editing photos (15 per cent).
Other new hobbies children have explored include baking (40 per cent), drawing (37 per cent), playing with building blocks, e.g. LEGO bricks (29 per cent), and learning a musical instrument (14 per cent).
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.
Scholar and Consultant on the Psychology of Music, Dr Victoria Williamson said: “Play and music can have both energizing and relaxation effects.
"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 per cent), 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.
Musician, HRVY, who has been sharing his #VidiyoVibes with his followers to spread positivity, said: “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.”
Top 10 new hobbies children have tried in the past year:
1. Baking2. Cooking3. Taking part in quizzes4. Playing on apps5. Painting6. Playing board games or cards7. Exercising e.g. skipping8. Giving makeovers e.g. painting my mum’s nails9. Crafts e.g. making jewellery, tie-dye art10. Filming and sharing videos