Listening to music at an early age is good for little ones, helps them grow and learn better, stimulating many areas of the brain.
Long before the newborn can understand the language, he understands the musicality within it.
The baby is immersed in listening to his mother’s body sounds and voice from conception.
After birth, he finds the same sounds and, before understanding their meaning, he appreciates their musicality.
In this way, he develops the ability to listen: he can grasp the nuances, the inflections, and even the emotion behind the words.
He perceives and understands the language, and it is easier to acquire the language.
Stick with us to know why you must introduce soft music to your baby from day one!
Let’s get started…
Music stimulates children’s brains
Many positive effects are attributed to music: it is pleasant, exciting, relaxing, and develops concentration.
But recent neurophysiology studies say something more interesting: listening to music acts on many areas of the brain, improving cognitive abilities.
And if music is played, the density of the gray matter increases in the Broca area, a region of the brain responsible for the language and deciphering musical syntax.
The whole brain of children “resounds”
The brain’s right hemisphere captures the timbre and melody of a piece of music lessons, while the left deals with the rhythm and pitch of the notes.
Music engages children at various levels and affects cognitive, language, and motor skills.
Early learning is an excellent opportunity for children to make the best use of their brain resources.
Related: 8 Best Sensory Toys For Babies
Music Helps Socialization And Stimulates Relationships
Singing, playing, or moving to music with others is not only a way to have fun, but it is, above all, an excellent way to help children socialize.
For example, many songs for young children have movements and rhythms made to stimulate relationships.
In fact, children love physical touch, movement, eye contact, and music as a fun and interactive game that can help both in the family and at school.
Music Is Important For Affective-cognitive Development
Singing for children and playing for them helps calm them and create a more stable relationship, strengthens the bond, and creates a feeling of well-being and harmony.
Besides, many researchers believe that music is essential in building the emotional base of children.
It helps them to acquire a sense of self-confidence, as well as strengthen self-esteem.
Music Develops Their Communication Skills
For many children, music can be a beneficial means of expressing themselves where they cannot yet do it with words.
And vice versa..
It is possible to communicate with children with music in all those cases where children cannot process the words they hear.
In these cases, music is a universal language that can be successfully used to communicate without using words.
Related: Best Toys For Babies 0-12 Months Old
Music Is an Amazing Therapy For Children With Special Needs
If music is essential for the development of every child, it is even more critical in the growth of children with special needs.
All those children who need different supports or approaches in their development can find good help in music therapy.
In fact, music therapy can effectively solve many behavioral problems or problems related to communication, socialization, the emotional sphere or even motor skills.
I recommend looking for trained psychologists or institutes with personnel specialized in music therapy for those who need it.
The Takeaway
Given the numerous benefits of music on children (and I haven’t listed them all because there are so many), here are some games and musical activities that you can do with children depending on the stages of growth.
Music is a significant part of the sensory development of babies and kids of different ages.
Make sure to get your baby to know different sounds, kinds of music, and rhythms to help healthy brain development.
Related: Sensory Games and Toys For Children: Are They Really Important?
Written By: Dema JS
Founder of newbabysmell.com and a mother of two little kids. Dema had her MBA from St. John’s University- NYC in dual concentrations: Executive Management and Marketing Management.
Contact: Please email [email protected] or go to newbabysmell.com