The human brain grows faster in its first years of life than it does at any later age. As children perceive the world, research shows that their brains make an astounding one million new neural connections per second. The more information children absorb during early childhood, the stronger their ability to learn, process, and retain knowledge in the future.
Music is especially powerful for children’s brains because it sparks a complex wave of brain activity. When it hears music, the brain lights up like a firework, exploding with energy and connectivity. When hearing a song, the brain not only processes musical elements like rhythm and harmony, but also analyzes lyrics, recalls memories, and forms emotional responses. For a child’s growing brain, music is the stimulation jackpot.
The more a child hears music when they are young, the greater their musical sensibility tends to be as they grow. Although musical skill can be innate, research suggests that a child who hears music regularly will likely be drawn to music as an adult. Early exposure to music is also linked to better performance in science, math, reading, and social skills.
Luckily, music is all around us. Hearing a song on the radio, in a shopping mall, or on a television show all contribute to brain development. With a few additional steps, you can make music a meaningful part of your children’s daily experience.
Tips for active music engagement at home:
Use music to help manage moods.
Have you ever been so angry you wanted to scream along to heavy metal? Research shows that this behavior actually reduces anger and increases self-compassion. Listening to mood-matching music helps us feel validated and regulate our emotions. The same is true for children, although if metal music isn’t your child’s jam, something like Taylor Swift’s “Shake It Off” or the “Mission: Impossible” theme song might be a good outlet. As anger subsides, a comforting song like the Beatles’ “Here Comes the Sun” can help reinforce calm feelings.
Make music part of a routine.
When playtime ends, “clean up, clean up, everybody everywhere…” signals a child’s brain to put away toys, and also creates a built-in transitional period. During other transitions, familiar music can ease the process and build routine. For example, listening to a child’s favorite song each night after dinner may help prepare them for the transition to bedtime.
Encourage movement and dancing.
Even infants smile, clap, and bounce along to familiar tunes. Movement is innate and tends to help us feel calm, grounded, and self-aware. Encouraging a child’s natural movements can help promote mindfulness and feelings of security. Songs like “If you’re happy and you know it,” and “Head, shoulders, knees, and toes” have built-in opportunities for movement. As they get older, children may prefer to dance, do gymnastics, exercise, or engage other forms of movement. Music enhances body awareness, coordination, and overall physical health, while also contributing to the development of fine and gross motor skills.
Notice your child’s musical interests and musical expression.
Ask children about their favorite song, musician, or a past musical experience. Pay attention to their facial expression and body language when you turn on a certain song. You can ask whether a particular tune makes them feel a certain way. Whether or not you consider yourself “musical,” opening a conversation about music can help children become more aware of their own feelings about songs while fostering connection between you and your child.
Make music a group activity.
When children play music together, they have opportunities for leadership, turn-taking, and impulse control. In addition, research shows that people who sing or make music as a group tend to have high levels of happiness, empathy, and belonging. Having a few egg shakers, maracas, or tambourines around the house might encourage music-making among siblings or during playdates. Playing music together can unlock children’s self-expression and help build lasting relationships.
Music has been clinically proven to enrich the growth of young minds. Through a few simple steps, you can weave music into your children’s lives and encourage their natural musicality. As the children’s author Hans Christian Andersen wrote, “where words fail, music speaks.” So, let’s embrace the power of music to help children express themselves, connect with others, and develop strong brains. After all, without music, life would B Flat!
