Parenting Points — The importance of music in child development

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 19/04/2018 (2846 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Parents instinctively use music to entertain, soothe or distract children. You rock or gently bounce your infant with a steady beat. You hum or sing softly to help her relax and fall asleep. Throughout your child’s early years, you sing songs, repeat nursery rhymes, and read stories with repetitive and rhyming patterns to your child.

Music has many benefits for children that go far beyond simply keeping them entertained.

When your child listens to and sings songs, he is learning new vocabulary and practicing his language skills. Songs with actions or specific movements help him make connections between the words and their meanings.

Your child’s memory is strengthened as she memorizes the words to a favourite song, rhyme or story book. She learns the alphabet through song. The same tune makes it easy to remember her seven digit home phone number. Many children’s songs are based on counting forwards or backwards. She can hold up fingers to keep track of how many monkeys are jumping on the bed.

Recognizing rhymes and rhythm is an early start in math skills as your child learns to identify and repeat patterns.

Music allows your child to develop coordination and motor skills as he claps, dances or does particular movements to a song such as pointing to body parts, rolling arms, jumping or stretching.

Try to find a variety of ways to incorporate music into your day. Some examples might include:

Shut off the TV and have music playing for background noise. Collect cd’s of different musical styles, or change radio stations often so your child is exposed to different types of music.

Sing familiar songs to and with your child. Repetition is key, so be prepared to sing the same songs or rhymes over and over. Don’t worry if you sing off key. Your child is your biggest fan and will not mind!

Make up songs about anything and everything as you go about your day. Singing about getting dressed, brushing teeth, or picking up toys can help make these activities more fun.

Change a word in a familiar song to see if your child notices. “The itsy bitsy tiger climbed up the water spout.” Make a game by taking turns changing the word.

Watch for opportunities to take your child to free musical performances in a variety of styles. If you know someone who plays an instrument, have them play for your child and possibly teach her to play a simple song.

Make homemade instruments. Put rice or beans in a small plastic container and seal securely with tape or glue to make a shaker. Give your child boxes or sturdy plastic bowls and a long mixing spoon to make a drum set.

End the day with a lullaby or two, and enjoy this special bonding time.

Shawna Munro works at the Elspeth Reid Family Resource Centre, a facility of Child and Family Services of Western Manitoba that offers parenting information and support.

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