Using Music to Boost Your Baby's Development

Music can have a calming and positive effect on young and old. Find out how you can use music in your baby's life to boost brain development as well as calm and soothe your infant.

• It's Music to My Ears

  Calming, soothing, or rejuvenating, the right kind of music can promote a feeling of well-being and serve as a distraction from pain or anxiety. It works for the young and the old!

  Researchers have also found a correlation between music and brain development. Playing music is known to stimulate brain development by promoting the development of neural synapses, that is, the building up of brain cell connections. The more developed the neural synapses; the better developed the brain on both the intelligence and physical levels. There will be a quicker grasp of language, improved motor movements and better spatial understanding.

  Listening to music is less effective than playing it, but it does help stimulate the brain. If babies do not receive sufficient stimulation, the neural synapses will not connect to a great extent and mental development will be slowed down. This is why it is important to constantly interact with your baby, to cuddle her, talk to her, sing to her and play music that will capture her interest.

  Listening to music can also contribute to the production and release of antibodies called endorphins in the brain. Endorphins, which are also produced when you run or do aerobic exercises, are brain chemicals that have feel-good, infection-fighting and pain-alleviating properties. So, in short, listening to music can make for a happier, healthier life.

  Ways to Include Music

  • Use calming music or lullabies to soothe your baby to sleep.
  • Play up-beat music to create a happy, lively atmosphere during bath time or playtime.
  • Music can make mealtimes fun.
  • Calming music provides a soothing distraction during a visit to the doctor.
  • Listening to familiar music can help a baby adjust better to an unfamiliar environment.
  • It can be used to calm an upset baby.
  • Listening to your favorite music with your baby can help you bond better.

  Different babies have different likes and dislikes. You can try out various music pieces and see which ones your baby responds to the best. Let the music play and watch your baby bounce along in tune. The early musical exposure may lead to a life-long love of music and an enriched world-view.

  
  

  courtesy of http://www.brighthubeducation.com