Baby's Got Rhythm

Incorporating Music Into Your Child's Life

By Melissa Granberry

What can soothe a crying infant? Make a tantrum-throwing toddler giggle? Keep a preschooler's imagination active? Music!

Not only do we enjoy it, research shows it may make us smarter. A study published in 1993 found that college students who listened to 10 minutes of Mozart's Piano Sonata K 448 increased their spatial IQ scores. This "Mozart Effect" has generated CDs, books and an increasing awareness encouraging us to incorporate classical music into our lives.

Music can be a simple part of a child's daily routine. Children naturally love to sing songs, perform hand motions to music and sway to the tempo. "The two most important music activities parents can do with young children are singing and keeping the beat," says Rachel Buchman, head of the Young Children's Division at the Michael P. Hammond Preparatory Program at the Shepherd School of Music in Houston, Texas.

Singing enhances numerous skills, such as language development, active listening and vocabulary. Songs are also wonderful tools to help children memorize basic concepts, such as the alphabet and days of the week. And who hasn't coerced their young child into picking up toys by singing Barney's "Clean Up" song? Singing even causes endorphins to flow, stimulating good feelings and imagination. No wonder babies sing in their cribs long before they can talk – it makes them feel good!

Children can participate in group singing activities, such as the church choir or music classes, which help boost self-esteem and social skills. Performing in local musicals can also be a fun way for children to get involved in singing while "hamming it up" for an audience.

Adele James of Houston, Texas, started her son, Michael, in Kindermusik classes when he was very young. He then moved on to other music and movement programs and began taking piano in the first grade. His love for music landed him a part in the local children's production of Oliver!

Want to see more?

• Stimulating vs. Soothing Toys: Creating a Healthy Learning Experience Through Play
• Magical Melodies: The Benefits of Music for You and Your Preterm Infant
• Introducing Music to Your Baby
• Talk about it!