New Delhi: There’s a lot more to learning music than just striking the right note. After all, Mozart was just five-years-old when he composed his first musical piece.

But one doesn't have to be a child genius to start playing at an early age. In fact the earlier one starts the better, because it has always been believed that music encourages development in children, and now science has proved music's role in transforming the way we think.

"It helps neurons communicate better improves motor skills, reduces hyperactivity. Children who learn how to play music at an early age can handle the stresses of life better when they are adults and less prone to depression and manic depression," says neurologist Amit Ray of Max Healthcare.

The Mozart effect – named after the famous musician - was a study published in Nature magazine in 1993.

It suggested after listening to Mozart for 10 minutes, students scored eight to nine IQ points higher in tests because it triggers a particular neuron firing pattern in the brain.

It was a landmark study hotly debated for years. But most four-year-olds aren't really tuning in to the theory of it.

Most children that age confess learning to play musical instrument is “fun”, “better than watching TV" and any day better than “studying."

"Learning how to play music is the best gift a parent can give to their child," says music instructor at Delhi’s Saraswati Music College Sonam Saini.

So, make sure there's music around in the house or better still, get your child to learn an instrument.