Research shows music is good for children and has many cognitive benefits in their development. In fact, modern neurological research has discovered music and child development are deeply intertwined. Exposure to music can help children develop new neural connections, language skills, and more.

As children engage with different types of music, whether through singing, listening or dancing, their brains undergo a symphony of activities that engages many areas of the brain including those related to:

• Working memory
• Language Processing
• Emotional Regulation of Self-Control
• Problem-Solving
• Flexible Thinking

We all enjoy music for the simple joy of it, but beyond simple pleasure, the harmonious connection of rhythm, pitch and melody can significantly impact early child development. The rhythmic patterns and varied tones in a piece of music create a rich auditory experience that strengthens neural connections involved in:

• Executive Function
• Language Development
• Vocabulary
• Number Sense and Mathematics
• Ability to Learn Multiple Languages

Here are some ways you can implement and nurture your child’s love for music at home:

1.) Sing to your baby. A love for music can begin in infancy. Hearing you sing helps your baby to begin learning language. Babies love patterns and rhythms of songs and even young babies can recognize specific melodies once they’ve heard them.

2.) Play music for your child. Expose your child to many different musical selections and styles. If you play an instrument, practice while they are close by and have them help you play a song.

3.) Start music lessons early. Having your child learn a musical instrument does not have to start when they are in elementary school. Young children’s developing brains are well-equipped to learn music. Your child can start to learn

music before they turn four. Starting music lessons early helps children build a lifelong love of music.

4.) Play musical activities. You can simply have your child dance and sing to different songs, or play different objects as instruments. You can also try singing a familiar song and inserting a silly word in place of the correct word, like “Mary had a little spider” instead of lamb. This encourages vocabulary growth.