Classical music is like yogurt to many people. They may try it once or twice, but, that's usually not enough. There has to be some form of continual contact and the music, like a nutritious food needs to be integrated into their lifestyle. Because music is the language of emotion. The history of music is the recorded history of human emotion, different ways people expressed their feelings over the centuries in response to their surroundings.
Music is important therefore to help children grow emotionally.
I know music has many other values - it helps develop our minds, it relaxes us, is gives us solace when we are blue. But most of all it helps us to develop empathy for others, to respect human feeling. But I am very impressed when someone shows understanding for the feelings of others. This is what music, and other arts, helps us learn to do, and that makes music an important activity for children to learn and enjoy. Well, some people have trouble feeling any emotion - or expressing it, at any rate.