Did you know that even in utero, a child responds to the sound of music? Classical music in particular has been proven to provide soothing relief to people of all ages and is regularly used in neonatal wards at hospitals as a way of helping calm distressed babies.
As babies grow, they develop a sense of rhythm and pitch and bounce their entire bodies to any music that captures their attention.
In recent times, scientists have spent time and effort in studying the effects of music on a child’s wellbeing, behaviour and ability to learn. They have produced overwhelming evidence that involvement in the study and practise of music has incredible effects on a child right through to adulthood.
Children who take music lessons have been shown to have greater concentration skills, achieve higher levels in English and Maths, and demonstrate improved behaviour and communication skills. Students who study music from an early age also demonstrate more advanced levels of language development as well as gross and fine motor skills.
So how can we encourage children with music from an early age:
- Listen to music together
- Dance together to your favourite songs
- Sing your favourite nursery rhymes and songs together
- Make a simple instrument at home (a shaker, simple drums, a tambourine)
- Use music at bedtime to encourage relaxation.
- Turn off the screens and have music in the background when they are playing
- Join an early childhood music program together
- When they are old enough, consider a musical tutor for one-on-one lessons
For further reading:
www.brighthorizons.com/family-resources/music-and-children-rhythm-meets-child-development
https://www.learningpotential.gov.au/articles/musical-benefits
www.feltmagnet.com/crafts/Music-Instruments-for-Kids-to-Make