A child’s first three years of life are crucial for developing speech/language, motor, and cognitive skills that they will use throughout life. Music plays a crucial role in creating these neural connections, also called pathways, necessary for children’s development.
In addition to enhancing non-musical skills, music is also an excellent way to drive neuroplasticity through a combination of music and non-musical skills. This promotes neural communication between the brain’s hemispheres and simultaneously engages several brain systems.
Listening to music is indeed important for creating musical memories, but the strongest experiences occur when children actively participate in music. Several studies conclude that musical experiences in childhood can improve a child’s language skills and reading abilities. It also improves their mathematical skills and even helps them score higher on SATs.
These are 12 reasons why music is so crucial to early childhood development:
Table of Contents
Music has a positive impact on studies
Music has almost always been regarded as an integral part of a well-rounded education. It starts with listening to melodies, singing, playing percussion instruments, and eventually learning to read music for keyboard, string, and wind instruments.
There are now numerous studies showing that music has a profoundly positive impact on students’ academic performance. Music lessons for children can enhance the brain’s physical structure to such an extent that kids can gain advantages in many academic subjects.
Various studies show that practicing music can develop language skills and improve memory, both of which are essential for learning.
It boosts confidence
Kids like to sing just for the sake of singing. Most of them aren’t shy about showing off their skills, and they’re always ready to take the spotlight. They enjoy songs with repeating melodies, clear rhythm, and directions.
Love for music, especially songs about familiar things, such as toys, and animals, is common in preschoolers. If you see them dancing to a tune or clapping along to a kids’ rhyme, it’s high time to get them acquainted with music lessons.
Music increases communication and imagination
Before babies can speak, they develop neural pathways for listening and speaking through babbling and sound-playing. Do you know that infants who hear language directed at them and respond to them tend to talk more and have a broader vocabulary as toddlers? They can easily and quickly mimic music and sounds they hear as another way to comprehend the world.
It increases IQ
Music is one of the most effective ways to boost one’s IQ. A study revealed that learning to play an instrument can positively impact a person for a lifetime. It also showed that children who took piano lessons for an entire year along with consistent practice increased their IQ by as much as three points.
Kids learn patience through it
Music lessons require children to be patient and persistent. These two qualities will not only help them become proficient in their skill but will also prove invaluable when encountering challenging situations later in life.
Music helps develop a child’s sensory system
Like flavors, textures, and smell enable a child to develop their sense of taste; music allows them to develop their sense of hearing. Exposing a child to different types of music creates more pathways between their neurons, giving them a greater understanding of sound. Interestingly, this effect is amplified when the music is linked to other activities such as dancing.
They are happy with it!
It is very exciting for us adults to hear music, but even more so for our little ones! Music can delight and excite its listeners, uplifting their mood and preventing sadness and illness. Children can develop positive emotions such as delight, joy, and affection by hearing and dancing to the beat of their favorite music.
It increases their literacy
Music can also improve reading skills. When we hear a musical sound, we perceive it as we do when we hear a speech. Many studies demonstrate that children who learn to read music have better listening skills and can comprehend language better.
Contributes to their emotional development
Children who appreciate and pursue music are likely to be more emotionally developed and to have a greater understanding of other cultures. Additionally, they are self-confident and better able to deal with anxiety. When a child learns and plays an instrument, he or she receives the support of a teacher and the pride and encouragement of a proud parent. In addition, children who express themselves creatively and self-consciously later in life tend to be better communicators.
Enhances coordination
Your brain must work at high speeds when you play an instrument. Reading music can make the brain translate playing an instrument into physical motion. As a result, their hand-eye coordination is better compared to those who don’t play.
It lifts the mood
Music has the power to lift your mood. It is very common for parents to lullabies or sings their children to sleep before tucking them into bed. It is just as true that music can soothe a child and lift their spirits in the process. Music therapy is becoming increasingly popular among people as a complementary form of medicine to more traditional forms of treatment. Researchers agree that certain types of music can aid in maintaining blood pressure by lowering the heart rate.
It helps them sleep better
A child recognizes the melody of a song long before he or she understands the words. When an infant is sleeping, soft background music can be soothing. They also enjoy listening to short, simple songs. It might be fun to make up a couple of lines about bathing, dressing, or eating to sing to them while doing these activities.
Conclusion
Much like love, music transcends all languages. Even an unborn child can enjoy melodies while it is still in the womb. Music can enrich children and their caregivers ‘ lives, whether it’s the pure pleasure of listening to melodies and rhythms or learning a new language and gaining social skills. There is no harm in introducing your child to music through fun activities or lessons; it will only benefit them.
