Music appears in our lives in many ways;from television and music in stores, to live performances and playlists on our phones. It’s also a prevalent aspect of our childrens’ lives. Stock sound effects are commonly used in their favorite videos and animations.
There are many benefits of listening to music for people of all ages. Children, in particular, develop differently when they’re exposed to music from an early age. It helps their developmental process, and they also acquire a love for music that follows them into adulthood.
Music from an early age
Listening to music from birth has been found to enhance a child’s ability to speak. It can even help their brain to develop. Going further than this, it is widely believed that being taught how to play a musical instrument can help with numeracy and math skills.
Kids naturally interact with music, even from a very early age. Babies often sway or move their bodies in response to hearing music and, as they grow and get older, they start singing along to it.
Music for kids
There is a vast market for children’s music. If you search online, you’ll find audio files and videos of traditional nursery rhymes and songs that children enjoy. There’s also a variety of interactive music.
Some of these songs contain lyrics that motivate children to sing along and perform certain actions. These can be hand and arm movements, or whole-body movements. This adds to the fun nature of interacting with music. The words are often repetitive and simple, making it accessible to kids of all ages.
6 benefits of music for children
- Calming and soothing.
Even babies can find soft, instrumental music soothing. It allows them to sleep better and calm down when they’re crying. It can also have the same relaxing effect on older children.
Children can recognize melodies long before they start understanding lyrics. For this reason, instrumental music is the way to go. The soft melodies within this genre will help them behave more calmly, and eventually, fall asleep.
- Education and learning
Music can help to educate our kids. Songs and rhymes aimed at children often have an educational aspect to them. There are a number of songs that will teach them the alphabet, or help them learn how to count.
It is easy to help kids learn through music. You can make everyday activities fun by creating your own rhymes about washing hands, getting dressed, or preparing for dinner. Sing these every time you perform an activity, and they’ll eventually start singing along and remembering the steps themselves.
- Body coordination and control
Action rhymes play an important role in the development of a child’s body movements; It allows them to gain more control. Songs or rhymes that encourage children to make large, sweeping arm movements can help train their gross motor skills. This will make writing easier, and it will also improve their coordination.
- Building a stronger connection
A child’s growth is greatly enhanced by close relationships with parents, grandparents, siblings, and carers. This is especially true of very young children. Singing a soft, melodic lullaby will enable you to connect deeply with your child and make them feel safe and secure.
- Imagination and communication.
Listening to music can help stimulate a child’s imagination. It also enhances their communication skills. Many children mimic the sounds they hear. For this reason, music is a good way for them to express how they feel on the inside. This allows neural pathways to develop, which in turn helps them learn how to speak, listen, and comprehend better. These developments are vita for any child.
- Being happy.
This may sound simple and straightforward, but music can bring a lot of joy to our lives. Children particularly enjoy live music because there is an immediate response to the sounds a musician is making. It can also be exciting for them to hear live music.
Conclusion
Music is vital for a child’s development. This applies to children of all ages. It can aid physical, emotional, and educational development and, above all, it is accessible to everyone. Music is something we all share, and it allows us to build stronger relationships and connections.
