We all hope that our children are going to turn into fine, upstanding pillars of the community with careers we will be proud of. Maybe a doctor or policeman, a lawyer or a teacher.

But what do you do when junior turns round and tells you that they want to be a famous pop star?

Maybe there’s a case to be made for it, looking at the millions child sensation Miley Cyrus has amassed already, aged just 17.

But we’re fairly sure most parents are just going to nod, or tell their youngsters to get back to their books - maybe they’ll remember the days when they were dressed up in their own mum’s jewellery and stolen school chalk, pretending to be in Adam And The Ants and shrug it off as ‘just a phase’.

But fret no more if your child wants to pick up some drumsticks. Little Richard is not just wasting time if he wants to learn the piano. In fact, he could be taking giant steps by trying to copy his guitar hero.

Dr Nina Kraus, a neurobiology professor at Northwestern University in the US, says: “Our research is showing just how much children benefit from playing music. Active engagement with music has a profound, positive impact on the brain.

“Life experiences shape our brains and the neural processes contributing to perception and thinking. “The positive effects of musical training don’t stop at enhancing musical skills. We also see improvements in language, attention, memory and literacy skills.”

Even if you are not convinced by your teen strumming along to ‘Master of Puppets’ by Metallica on your classical guitar, don’t close your ears completely. It might make them a better pupil at school.

Dr Kraus explains: “Musical training also boosts a person’s ability to hear in a challenging listening environment - like listening for a flute in a band, or attending to a teacher’s voice in a noisy classroom.

“How great is that - your child’s brain is busy adapting to new sounds and experiences, all while having a lot of fun making music and new friends. Is it worth the trouble? Given robust effects of musical training on auditory development, the answer is a resounding yes.”

Sheba George has been in Dubai for six years now, and is a mother to teenager Thomas and older sister Maria. And now seeing her kids growing up, she urges parents not to switch off when it comes to their children and music.

She explains: “Academic education is obviously very important but you know the old saying, ‘All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy’. There is a lot of pressure on children, certainly with the Indian system of education.

“They never have time to take music seriously or enjoy it. My daughter tried piano and my son took up guitar, but it’s not given enough importance.

“Music is something that most children can relate to and it is important for children to enjoy it. Not just to try and make something out of themselves, but even just to relax.”

Sheba knows many adults will be at odds with their children about musical lessons.

But she still believes families can all come to a happy compromise over which instruments are suitable.

“Kids might end up learning the classical guitar for example, because their parents want them to play that instrument.

But if they could have chosen themselves they would probably have gone for the electric guitar immediately because they are dreaming of being rock stars. But they will still learn the guitar. Music should be looked at as a time and opportunity for people to get together and have fun.”

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