Most of us use rhymes or other forms of soothing music to calm our babies. It’s a well-known fact that the sound of the parent’s singing has a very relaxing effect on little ones. But music and it’s benefits go far beyond this.
More and more recent studies have linked musical training and cognitive function. It’s no coincidence that Einstein was a genius physicist and a master violinist.
So, how can you incorporate music in your child’s life in a way that it benefits them? Read on..
Classical music
Classical music has a more complex structure. Babies as young as 3 months can pick out that structure and even recognise classical music selections they have heard before. When your child listens to classical music, the electromagnetic frequency of the brain changes thus allowing him/her to focus and concentrate better. Memory and retention of information will increase.
Children who grow up listening to music develop strong music-related connections in the brain. Some of these music pathways actually affect the way we think. Listening to classical music seems to improve our spatial reasoning, which is the ability to think and draw conclusions about 3D objects.
You can start listening to classical music from the time of pregnancy itself!
Playing instruments
Playing any musical instrument engages all four hemispheres of the brain. This in turn ensures that your brain hemispheres are well connected. When a musician plays or sings, he or she uses approximately 90% of the brain, more than any other activity.
There is no ‘centre for music-making’ in the brain, but multiple areas of both left and right hemispheres are used when making music. Music is a whole-brain activity.
Music lessons in childhood actually enlarge the brain. An area used to analyse the pitch of a musical note is enlarged 25% in musicians compared to people who have never played an instrument. The earlier the musicians were when they started musical training, the bigger this area of the brain appears to be.
Singing
Singing should be incorporated in the daily life of children. They should be encouraged to repeat their favourite songs or chants, especially silly ones that make them laugh. Enjoyment is crucial! The songs should be simple-like Nursery rhymes or traditional songs. Parents should ensure that that they praise their children afterwards.
Reading Music
Even learning to read music is known to have the same benefits as other forms of musical training. Children who get musical training at a young age are able to utilise multiple areas of the brain at the same time.