The European Journal of Social and Behavioural Sciences writes this fact: “Music education and exposure to music by listening or active music-making would make children smarter and would have a positive influence on children’s social-emotional skills, motor development and even improve their chance for success in society”.
It is during infancy that children embark on the path of emotional, cognitive, and social development. Improvisation, singing their favorite songs are proof of this statement. Some parents have noticed that their children stop dancing when they hear virtuous melodies in the song.
Usually, your child’s first favorite songs are the soundtracks from cartoons or TV shows, which they often watch. Some kids love these cartoons so much, so they sing songs from these movies all day long. Remember that, and listen patiently to your child’s singing the same songs.
However, loving parents should not be depressed about it, since such a rich phase of singing will not last long. Years later that moments, mommy and daddy will remember with love how their little boy or girl sang these songs. In the meantime, you should take a moment and pay more attention to the music benefits for children.
Music for Toddlers: Ten Advantages
1. Music will cheers your baby up.
We all had these days where we are sad. Then we turned on our favorite playlist just to cheer us up. Let us tell you a secret: a child can also be cheered up just by listening to music. We are not sure that the child will thank you with words, but you will see how his mood has changed. All you have to do is turn on your baby’s favorite music.
2. Music helps develop motor skills.
If you start teaching your child to dance to music instead of just listening to it, you’ll motor skills developing. This physiological function helps the child coordinate the muscles of the arms and legs. Don’t miss the opportunity to give your child a little dancing because it’s a great exercise that doesn’t require a professional instructor.
3. Music improves the ability to coordinate.
A rhythmic movement to music will help to improve the balance and muscle coordination of the child. Coordination of words and movements, verbal and non-verbal skills also depend on the music. If you do not know where to find special and useful playlists, try the royalty-free music system. It is available on most internet services.
4. With music, you can make friends with your child.
If you do not mind a habit of spending your days listening to music while doing housework, your child’s abilities will say thank you. Listening to music together is a great way to make friends with your baby and strengthen ties with him or her. A parent who teaches his child to listen to specific music (such as rock music) can be sure that child will remember it with love all life long.
5. The vocabulary develops when listening to songs.
If your little boy (or girl) regularly sings the same songs, he’ll soon remember the new words he hears in those songs. This is a way to create a vocabulary. Moreover, babies will not just memorize the sounds of words, they will also learn their meaning.
6. Music can help create habits.
A sense of stability is what music develops in a child’s psyche. This makes children curious and able to plan their day. In addition, listening to music will help you put the child to bed: sing the child a lullaby, and he will forget about pranks.
7. Music can transmit traditions to the child.
Parents who play their children their favorite music can easily develop in baby a sense of belonging to a family. Music can also transmit traditions. If you have a song in your family that is passed down from generation to generation (such as a lullaby), you can also sing it to your child. The kid will be interested in this song.
8. Music teaches empathy.
Psychology Today writes that through music, people can demonstrate their feelings to each other. The most effective songs for such a process are with a textual component. If your kid likes to listen to intelligent songs, he will have no problem in how learning to be a good friend.
9. With music, a child can learn to count.
Children who perform special educational songs will be able to easily understand sound patterns and independently adjust them. This educational music is designed to help kids learn math skills.
10. Music supports sensory skills.
You can develop sensory skills in a child with drawings and puzzles. Listening to different types of music will also help. The development of neural connections occurs when a child listens to quality melodies, such as classical music.
How to introduce your child to music: concrete ideas
It’s hard to imagine a child without music in his or her life. Many children are attracted to music, first, because of the peculiarities of child psychology. Any parent can raise their child as a music fan. Below you can find some ideas on how to teach a child a love of music.
You can use the most everyday things. If your child has a favorite toy, you can use it. Put on a musical performance for the children, where toys will participate. These toys will perform like heroes of the show. The child himself will want to join the “party”.
Get a child to do certain moves. For example, you can clap your hands or you can stomp your feet – kids adore those moves. Your son or daughter’s interest will increase instantly. If you have a fantasy, you can write your own educational songs. These songs will be perfect for every baby.
Parents can also play instruments. Parents who have a degree in music (for example, some parents may be able to play a guitar or piano) may find additional uses for their skills. Musician parents can please their baby by playing intricate tunes. The ideal option is that you can teach your baby to play a toy musical instrument.
Another good way to vary your baby’s life is to dance with bells. You should ring a bell when a child has to make a certain movement. This is how a baby can be taught to play sports with music.
If you struggle with tone-deafness, then don’t you worry. If you’re a disgusting singer, your kid won’t even notice. He or she will still fall in love with your singing. The main element of singing with a child is joy and fun. Jokes are the best way to get a child to sing with you.
So know that any fun and kind parent can make their child a music fan. Show your little friend how to play an instrument with fun. Let the kid listen to the songs on the radio. If mom or dad truly enjoy the music in the presence of a child, the baby will ask his or her parents to do a song show. This is what parents will do to speed up the child’s mental and physical growth. Have fun and listen to the music with your baby!