Why classical music is good for babies

A UCLA study found this statement to carry a lot of weight, as they found that students who were involved in musical pursuits actually tested higher on the SAT's. More recently, a study conducted by the University of Washington revealed that 9-month-old babies, who were playing musical exercises with their parents, showed an increased understanding of rhythm in speech and music. McMaster University also studied the effects of music on young children , and had similar findings: babies who played with musical toys alongside their parents smiled more and communicated better than babies who played alone, while Baby Einstein was on in the background.

While interacting musically with young children has shown to benefit their mental development, there is also research that suggests music greatly benefits babies born prematurely. These findings were improved blood oxygen levels, sucking behavior, and decreased stress as perceived by parents. With all of the research being conducted in the past two decades or so, it's starting to look like there are way more benefits to introducing your child to classical music than not.

Scientists have even found that lullabies help children feel better by lowering their heart rates and reducing their perception of pain! Don't worry if you aren't exactly classically trained, researchers have also claimed that it isn't just classical music which seems to benefit children. Making up silly songs or tunes that your baby enjoys, while playing or cleaning up can build pathways in their brains, which improve their mood and make learning easier.

While prepping for that new baby, you probably won't need to splurge on those microphones that stream sonatas straight to their developing ears. Dr Rob Hicks: "Music is all around rewarding us in so many ways. At one end of the scale music is energising, at the other end of the scale it can help to calm the most stressful situation.

Once a baby is born music can help the process of bonding. As your child grows music plays an integral part of games and other activities and the learning that these can provide. We know that adults nurture the development of their children and the children they care for by responding to their needs, and when a child is enjoying him or herself and having fun they will be learning.

Studies suggest that playing music to a baby in the womb, and in early childhood years, helps brain development. Some believe that exposure to music whilst in the womb also contributes to increased intellectual ability.

However, others question this and the subject remains controversial. Lullabies and other tunes have been played to children for many years to lull them to sleep or to simply slow things down a little.

Listening to music is a good baby calming technique, whether you are rocking your baby in your arms or swaying to the rhythm.

Listening to classical music can become a habit for those who have always listened to it. So, start them young! Classical music, in general, is very inspiring. Since the music improves brain functions, it also inspires new thoughts which helps one to become more creative!

In our classrooms, we play classical music melodies during our nap times to create a calm atmosphere. Proper growth and development means improved overall health. The relaxing and soothing effects of classical music help babies sleep better. It is observed that babies who sleep better, or are better rested, do better in terms of their overall development, in comparison to babies who have disturbed sleeping patterns or babies who do not sleep well.

Physical and mental health go hand-in-hand. Classical music does wonder in making your baby feel happy and calm. Listening to such kind of music helps in releasing feel-good hormones, also known as endorphins, in the body. Endorphins help in relaxing the brain and thus, improve the mental health of the baby. Mozart effect is a term, which was first used by a French researcher Dr Alfred A. This researcher was of the opinion that listening to classical music can increase spatial-temporal reasoning abilities and also improve IQ.

However, this theory has limited evidence. Where some researches support it, others negate its effect. Whatever may hold true, there is no denying that classical music has soothing and calming effects on babies.

Now, the next question that will pop into your mind is the kind of classical music you should choose. We suggest that you do not choose something too loud.