Singing and music play an important role in our culture and are present in many of our social and educational activities: theatre, television, cinema, celebrations, worship etc. From birth we instinctively use music to calm and soothe our babies, to express our love and joy, and to engage and interact with our children as they grow. Music is a whole-brain activity and so really great for baby brain development.
Research undertaken in the 1990s showed that exposure to music from early childhood onwards helps children to speak more clearly, develop a larger vocabulary, and strengthen social and emotional skills. At Baby College we are collaborating on a research project at the moment with Goldsmith’s University to help increase our understanding of the positive benefits of music for babies and toddlers.
Earlier research carried out by the psychologist Howard Gardner states that music intelligence is as important as logical and emotional intelligence. This is because music can strengthen the connection between the body and brain so as to help them work together better as a team. When your young child is dancing and moving to music, they develop better gross motor skills and gain greater control over their movements. When they are singing songs, they are practising their singing voices and improving their language skills and if this is combined with actions (an action song), they are also improving their fine motor skills. Action songs can be especially beneficial for young toddlers that can’t yet speak as they are able to join in with communication at an earlier stage and this will help build their confidence.
Music also has the ability to impact our emotional and psychological states. When we listen to calming or happy music the body produces ‘happy’ hormones like the ones released when we are cuddled; these hormones bring with them the feelings of pleasure and happiness. If parents play happy, lively music they can help cheer their children up and equally playing calm music will help with relaxation.
Music can help children express their emotions. Playing sad music can have the effect of making the listener feel sad and this can help small children express these feelings (during times of stress or difficulty). It could be part of a mindfulness exercise for your little ones. Alternatively lively music can have the opposite effect.
Music can help with forming long term memories. Listening to music seems to fire up the hippocampus, the part of the brain responsible for storing long term memories. So, while many things might be going on at the time of making the memory, it is the music that is likely to form a particularly strong association with that recollection. Those suffering with Alzheimer’s and dementia can even be aided in recalling previously lost memories through the use of music.
Music and singing are used throughout our Baby College classes: from the very beginning with our ‘Look Around You’ Hello Song, through our dancing routines, music play, action rhymes and the way to our parachute ride and Goodbye Song. We use traditional nursery rhymes and modern variations to support English language development and give parents inspiration for play at home. We even listen to beautiful pieces of classical music to help babies learn about quiet time and concentration. Or you might like to try listening to The Happy Song created by Imogen Heap and Caspar Addyman at Goldsmiths – specially designed to make babies happy!
Musical Ideas for parents:
- Dancing with your baby whilst listening to your favourite songs
- Singing nursery rhymes
- Tapping out the beat onto your baby (feet, legs, hands) when you are listening to music or singing nursery rhymes
- Bouncing baby on your knees to the rhythm of the song/rhyme
- Older children – pots and pans drum set
- Make homemade shakers for/with your child (or check out our Baby College shop for our range of BigJigs instruments)
- Action rhymes and clapping songs
- Experimenting with different styles of music to give your babies and little ones more choice and to help them to develop a broad musical appreciation
We practice rhythm, listening and singing every week at Baby College classes.
