Music is a well-known mood enhancer—most people listen to a relaxing tune when they want to take it easy, or energize themselves during a lull by listening to something upbeat. You can harness music in the same way to stimulate young children. Toddlers who wake up grumpy might benefit from hearing something cheerful or funny as they start waking, whether the tune is being sung by their parent or played on a stereo.
And in the same way that babies can be lulled to sleep by a gentle lullaby, young children who are fearful or tense can also be soothed with the right kind of tune. Your natural instinct here is probably to opt for a nursery rhyme or favorite children’s song, but classical music can also have a profoundly soothing effect.
In fact, it is believed that listening to classical music for a short period twice a day—almost like having a quick “bath” in music—can actually reduce stress hormones. This is a good tip to keep in mind for adults and children alike.
Enriching your child’s life with music will give her an appreciation of culture.
There are many classes and groups catering to children from the age of just a few months onward that are focused on enjoying music, experimenting with sounds and rhythms, and extending motor skills. In addition to boosting musical ability, these classes also work on social skills by building confidence, encouraging cooperation, and even sharing, since all equipment has to be passed around.
Music may also deepen a child’s understanding of emotion and empathy; there is evidence to suggest that discerning the feelings conveyed within a song trains the ear and mind to tune in to the emotion behind what someone is saying.
Raising your child in a noisy, musical home brings with it a wealth of benefits, and not just for your child; you may find that regular singing and dancing has an equally positive effect on your mood and sense of well-being. Enabling your child to make her own music provides her with a vital opportunity to express herself, and in doing so offers you a window into her complex internal life and feelings.
Just as the babbling stage is key to learning language, this early stage of music making is equally important. So, next time your toddler is relentlessly whacking your pans with a spoon, try to grit your teeth and encourage her, keeping in mind that one day it may well become a symphony.
