Boost your baby’s brain: why music is so important for babies and children

 

For generation upon generation, all over the world, songs and lullabies have been sung to babies and children to soothe them and help them sleep soundly. Certain benefits—relaxation, and strengthening the relationship between parent and child—are obvious, but is there something more happening besides bonding? Laura McDermott tells us more on her favourite subject.

Studies have shown that music, particularly classical, can have a positive impact on brain development and memory function, in effect giving children a mental boost particularly when listened to from birth or even earlier. There are conflicting views on whether these benefits are long-term or simply a temporary effect, but either way there is clearly real value to be gained by infants experiencing music.

It’s not only classical music but any high quality music that’s good for children. The great classical composers such as Mozart and Beethoven have stood the test of time and we can have confidence in their quality and appropriateness for our children. Professionally, I have found value in taking a broader view of what makes good music. I incorporate jazz and popular pieces. Here too, the safest judge of quality is the test of time: from Gershwin to the Beatles, Frank Sinatra to Queen, and Ella Fitzgerald to Mariah Carey there are “classics” in every musical genre, and all add to the rich palette of music our babies can enjoy.

On the mass market both classical and popular music for children are plentiful, especially since the findings of research into the benefits of listening to music have been reported in the media. Be careful when selecting and ensure that the music is the highest quality, not simply reflecting the highest marketing budget! Choosing music for children to listen to is quite a responsibility and although in time they will grow to develop their own tastes and preferences, for the early years their musical experiences are shaped by the adults in their lives.

Of equal importance to listening is participating in musical activities on a regular basis. I don’t make a living from performing but my musical training and upbringing have provided me with a discipline and mentality which reflects in all aspects of my life.

Musical involvement strengthens and enriches us physically, intellectually, emotionally and socially. It’s hard to find a substitute amongst other pastimes that can engage and enhance us as people in such a broad sense. Many of the health and educational benefits of music cannot be gained solely by listening.

Studies show that people with even a small amount of childhood musical training continue to show positive effects long into adulthood. Indeed, unless your child plans to study music at a higher level or to make their living from it, in many ways their musical ability and technical skill can be of secondary importance: an appreciation of good music and a musical and artistic sensitivity but the education in self-discipline, self-awareness and self-confidence they will gain as an integral part of their musical training is priceless.

My son is too little to be learning an instrument or taking part in any structured music-making, however he does go to a class for toddlers where singing, dancing and clapping along to music is encouraged and I make music part of his life as much as possible. It’s never too early to introduce music to a child; studies have shown that while still in the womb babies are able to respond to music and even have preferences!

I’d like to think that giving my son a musical upbringing will help his development long term – plenty of studies say that it will – but if it doesn’t actually make him brainier from personal experience I know it will enhance his life in a multitude of ways and anything else is a bonus.

–Laura McDermott

Laura McDermott studied Music and English at Keele University, followed by a Masters in Music Performance and Related Studies at Goldsmiths College, University of London. After several years of working in classical music publishing, Laura now works as a freelance writer and editor, alongside caring for her young son, Max.
A major project for Laura is editor and contributor to Music in Our Lives providing information about the benefits of good music heard throughout pregnancy, early life and into adulthood.

“Music has been a love of mine for longer than I can remember. I was privileged to receive a first-rate musical education and upbringing, with caring parents and excellent and inspiring teachers. I believe that a love of music is one of the most valuable gifts you can give a child, and I hope to be able to pass that enthusiasm on to my own son. You don’t need to be an accomplished musician to enjoy music and music-making and all the benefits these activities can bring. Through ‘Music In Our Lives’ I aim to help other parents give the gift of music to their children.”

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