Music and Toddlers: A Perfect Harmony 

 

Recently, my son made a new discovery - music! It's been there all along, but now, he stops to listen, dance, and even sing along. Most toddlers seem to be naturally drawn to music, and now some doctors say that feeding their need for a good groove can result in higher test scores down the road. The doctors needn't say another word, American parents are gobbling up toys, tapes, and videos in the effort to give their child a leg up. And, who of us doesn't want to give our children every possible advantage? So, is this for real, and if so, what are some ideas for adding music to our toddlers' lives? I am so glad you asked!

As always, there is conflicting medical information as to whether or not listening to complex musical sound has any long term effect on a child's intelligence. However, there have been two conclusive studies showing that mathematical reasoning skills increase with continued exposure to music, and that, at least temporarily, these children have improved test scores. In addition, scientists know that the brain is not fully developed at birth, and will spend the first three years developing millions of brain cells and trillions of synapses (connections between the cells) based on the brain's environmental cues. And, it just so happens that complex music stimulates the same neurons (brain cells) that will later be used for critical thinking and mathematics. So, a logical conclusion is that listening to complex music (i.e. classical - not rock) early in life, could increase a child's ability in these areas. Either way, they have a great time and it isn't going to do any harm! Now for the fun part! Some ideas for incorporating music education into your young child's life are:

*Take a music class together - Kindermusik and Gymboree offer classes throughout the states, and from all I have heard, are a great deal of fun for parents and kids alike.

*Play music at home and while you are riding in the car.

*Dance, dance, dance! *Get out those pots and pans and play along to a tape.

*Sing, sing, sing! *Put beans in different types of containers to make shakers with different sounds to shake along while you sing or play a tape    

*Purchase some simple rhythm instruments such as sticks, tambourines, cymbals, blocks, maracas - I found a great Little Tykes set at Toys r Us.

*Try listening to different styles of music - classical, jazz, calypso, etc. There are tons of ways to incorporate music into our everyday lives, and it doesn't necessarily have to cost us a great deal of money. As always, most important is just to spend time together and have fun. And, who knows - maybe it is not too late for our old adult neurons. I, for one, could use the help for balancing my checkbook!