You probably remember the first time your little one bounced and moved along to music. Maybe it was to a live band or while in a car seat listening to the radio. The desire to listen to music and move along to the beat is within us all. The right tunes can energize us, relax us, and bring us closer together. Even more, kids can be naturally drawn to music and dance, and parents often wonder how they can foster this exploration with their children. New research illustrates the importance of music on brain development, so it’s definitely a good idea to let the music play. Check out these five reasons you should consider incorporating music into your child’s daily routine.
1. Music can fast track speech and language development.
Just like music, human speech is rhythmic, requires strong auditory skills, and follows a call-and-response pattern. Listening to music can help infants listen for and comprehend complex speech patterns. A study at the University of Washington observed infants who participated in a short, fifteen minute music-based activity three days a week. After a month of these sessions, the infants showed a greater ability to detect and predict rhythmic speech patterns. As researcher Patricia Kuhl explained, “Music experience has the potential to boost broader cognitive skills that enhance children’s abilities to detect, expect and react quickly to patterns in the world, which is highly relevant in today’s complex world.”
2. Music improves counting and math skills.
When researchers taught three and four year olds math skills while music was playing in the background, they found that the children who listened to music had greater recall of the math concepts taught. There are several possible reasons for this, but one may be that the rhythmic patterns in music help little brains pick up on similar mathematical concepts.
3. Music helps develop gross motor skills.
Some music just makes you want to get up and dance! For kids, grooving to tunes helps increase balance and rhythm. These sensorimotor skills are essential for coordination and fluidity in older children. For confident kids who can leap, jump, and scramble with ease, early exposure to music-based movement can make a huge difference.
4. Music improves mood.
This is a reason many adults love music. Nothing can energize a workout or improve a road trip like the right tunes. Music can be the ultimate mood booster for all ages! If your little one is feeling out of sorts, music can be the right prescription for a mood boost. Or, if your child is a little revved up, calming instrumental music can help prepare the brain for rest and relaxation.
5. Music is fun!
The best reason for making and listening to music with your preschooler is because it’s enjoyable. Dancing, singing, and playing instruments together as a family can draw you closer together and make wonderful memories. Introducing your child to many different instruments can even encourage budding musicians.
The Gardner School Hits All The Right Notes
We love introducing our students to so many different enrichment activities, including dancing, singing, and music-making. Choose a preschool that balances academic learning with the exploration of your child’s gifts and talents. If you’re looking for exceptional child care that helps support your family, contact us today to learn more, or check out our virtual tours on our website for The Gardner School nearest you. You’ll quickly see why parents choose The Gardner School!