The benefits of music for children: exploring musicality from an early age
Music has been part of human life for millennia. It does not just evoke a melody, it transcends linguistic and cultural barriers to touch our hearts and minds. If it has a great impact on adults, its benefits for children are just as remarkable.
In this article, we will see the advantages and importance of encouraging the discovery of music from the first years of life.
The benefits of music for little ones
music is not just for children. It can also have a big impact for premature babies. According to studies, playing or singing lullabies to premature babies strengthens breathing and heartbeat.
In other words, the heart rate is stabilized, they breathe better, and sleep better.
From 0 to 2 years
For your information, hearing is the first sense that develops in the fetus. According to studies, a baby hears a melody while he is still in his mother's womb.
After birth, the baby still remains sensitive to sounds. Moreover, music soothes the stress of the newborn after adaptation to the outside environment.
Whether it is nursery rhymes sung or lullabies hummed to put him to sleep , music remains a simple and effective way for a baby.
From 2 to 4 years
At this age, music has a great impact on the education and development of young children, mainly for their cognitive, linguistic, emotional, social and physical development.
Furthermore, music develops intellectual abilities for future schoolchildren such as concentration, patience, creativity and memorization.
After 4 years
From the age of 4, musical activity is complementary to the school curriculum. In this way, children learn to evolve in a community while acquiring a sense of listening, sharing, discussion and generosity.
It should be noted that music takes time to master. Children who practice it must therefore learn to persevere and be disciplined in order to progress. In the long run, learning to play music also helps them overcome shyness and be much more confident.
All of this will help children understand the world around them.
Early Cognitive Development: The Foundations of Intelligence
Indeed, exposure to music from a very young age can have positive effects on the cognitive development of very young children.
Music stimulates brain growth
From birth, children tend to show an innate sensitivity to music.
According to studies, even infants respond to musical stimuli. This means that music is deeply integrated into human development.
This early responsiveness means that music can play an important role in children's development.
Did you know that music stimulates various regions of the brain? And yes ! This includes regions associated with memory and learning.
By listening to music, you can captivate the child's attention while stimulating their listening skills. This can introduce young children to reading and math.
That's not all, playing a musical instrument can also help engage multiple parts of the brain simultaneously, which strengthens neural connections and promotes children's cognitive development.
Early learning of language and communication
We know that music and language share countless cognitive similarities.
Especially since children exposed to music from an early age show a better understanding of language and faster acquisition of speech.
As a result, the rhythms and melodies of music help children develop their sense of rhythm and syntactic structure, which facilitates language learning.
Additionally, music promotes better social communication through interactive play and group singing. Singing simple songs with gestures or dancing to music helps children express themselves and interact with their surroundings.
Better emotional and social development
It's no secret that music cultivates empathy and connection, which can lead to better emotional and social development in children.
Emotional management and expression
Music is a great way to express our emotions.
For children, who may have difficulty putting their feelings into words, music is a safe way to express and understand their emotions.
Listening to happy music can change moods and boost happiness, while softer, soothing melodies can help calm children while promoting better sleep.
For kids who are a little older and play a musical instrument, it's kind of a way for them to be more creative and where they can express their emotions. By learning to play an instrument, children develop patience and self-control, while cultivating a sense of personal pride.
An asset for social interaction
Music often requires teamwork and skill to succeed in society. Playing in a musical ensemble or singing in a choir can teach your children the importance of listening, mutual respect and coordination.
Especially since these social experiences help young children know how to communicate while strengthening their sense of community and belonging.
Coordination and agility of young children
Whether dancing, singing, keeping time, or playing an instrument, music often prompts coordinated movements
Simple activities like playing a tambourine or xylophone or simply dancing improve children's coordination, agility and sense of rhythm.
That's not all, it also strengthens the overall development of the child.
Educational toys and musical wall night lights
Educational toys and wall-mounted night lights are one of the best tools to ensure a good musical and attractive environment for our dear ones!
And yes, our little ones love to play, and need a good night's sleep, there's nothing better than these super practical little gadgets! For what ? This is what we are going to see.
Educational toys: Stimulate the learning and imagination of young children
Musical educational toys are not just fun, they can also stimulate children.
From miniature musical instruments to sound puzzles and interactive music books, these toys encourage children to discover the world of music in a fun and engaging way.
By manipulating objects and listening to different sounds, children develop their fine motor skills and their understanding of melody.
Musical wall night lights to create a soothing environment
Musical wall night lights add a magical touch to children's bedtime. By diffusing soft melodies and soothing lights, these night lights create an environment conducive to relaxation and sleep. Additionally, some wall-mounted night lights are equipped with sound sensors that activate music and lights in response to the child's crying or movement, providing additional comfort during the night.
What kind of music to listen to?
Music is very enriching. This is the reason why nurseries introduce little ones to musicality from a young age. The melodies help feed their curiosity and challenge their hearing potential.
It is advisable to have them listen to nursery rhymes in different languages. There are no rules, you can also have them listen to adult songs from time to time!
The most important thing is variety and having a connection with your child. You can even play, sing or dance with your child while listening to music. And why not play with instruments together at home? There are several ways to do this.
Conclusion
It is therefore important to introduce children to musicality from an early age. This provides a multitude of benefits for the overall development of children. By stimulating the brain, promoting language learning, cultivating emotional expression and strengthening social skills, music plays a crucial role in children's minds and hearts. As parents, educators and caregivers of little ones, it is vital to support the importance of music in children's lives, providing them with opportunities to explore and thrive in this area. Educational toys and musical wall night lights complete this experience by offering additional tools to stimulate imagination, promote sleep and enrich children's musical environment.