Why your child should listen to music

Have you ever noticed how you feel when you hear a song you love? Your mood improves, right? A smile crosses your face? Maybe you even belt out the lyrics . That's because music has powerful effects. Not just for you, but for your child too. Introducing music to your little one has a lot of benefits. Read on for how and why you should make music the soundtrack for your child's life.

Music soothes

Whether you're pregnant, have a little one trying to fall asleep or a toddler in a "mood," music can soothe. Think about those "trying times" when your newborn baby was up at all hours of the night. If you tried singing — even off key — it worked, right? That's because research shows that listening to lullabies calms babies. In fact, it may even help strengthen premature babies.

Researchers from Brigham Young University studied the effects of music on 33 premature infants in a neonatal intensive care unit. After playing the voices of men and women singing lullabies for the infants for four days, they found that the babies gained more weight, had a stronger heartbeat and lower blood pressure.

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Make music the soundtrack to your life

Playing music daily can be a great way to help your little one develop a love of music. Turn on fun, up-beat music in the morning to get your child moving or during those "twilight" hours to settle him. Play music during long car rides to make the journey more fun. At night, when it's time for bed, switch to lullabies or slow tracks to cue him it's time to wind down.

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Music moves

Have you ever noticed how a child will start bouncing along to the beat of the music that's playing? Music can be a great way to introduce dance to your little one. Not to mention, it's just so darn cute to watch him bounce to the beat and sing along to the words.

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Music bonds

Music can also be a great way to bond with your child. From an early age, you can make it a ritual to dance and sing with him. Even before he's old enough to stand, you can hold your child in your arms and dance around. As he grows older, you can share your favorite artists and songs with each other. Before you know it, you'll be going to concerts together.

Read more about music and children

10 Ways music benefits children
Making music with your kids
How to create a musical life for your child