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Musically Inclined

Introducing Music to Your Baby

By Laura Blattner

At about 3 months of age, Anna started to become very fussy in the evenings, and required much more attention than before. Clayton couldn't find any way to console her much of the time. One particular evening, Clayton began singing Anna one of the lullabies she had learned at her Kindermusik® class.

"As soon as I started singing 'Lavender's Blue,' Anna immediately calmed down and focused on my voice and face. I was amazed at what a powerful effect music had on her," says Clayton.

Not only has music had a dramatic influence on Anna as an infant, it has also provided Clayton with a way to mold Anna's behavior as a toddler. Whenever she begins acting out, Clayton has always been able to use music to redirect Anna and encourage good behavior.

One of the most heart-warming influences Clayton has seen from their musical experiences is watching Anna now sing the same lullaby to her newborn sister, who responds just as Anna did as an infant.

You don't have to have a fantastic singing voice to enjoy music with your child. Even if you claim no musical talents, you can delight your child when you engage in musical experiences together. Babies naturally love the facial expressions of a parent, the inflection of their voice and the rhythmic repetition of speech. These elements soothe, stimulate and entertain; but most importantly, they facilitate a bond between you and your child.

So often, music is perceived as something extra that you can expose your children to once they have mastered life's basic skills. In reality, music can open doors to create a more balanced and healthy child, both physically and emotionally. Instead of waiting until your child is old enough to take formal lessons on an instrument, try making music an important part of your child's life now by using some of these simple ideas:

• Sing to your baby, even if you think you can't!
• Make music a part of your bedtime routine. Play a CD in your child's room to help her relax and fall asleep.
• Expose your child to a wide variety of musical styles. Don't feel that it needs to be classical music or lullabies exclusively -- try some jazz, country, Broadway or folk music!
• Turn on the radio and dance with your child! Do a waltz, tango, country line dancing, whatever you like -- your baby will love the physical sensations of swaying, rocking and bouncing to music!
• Expose your baby to a live performance so she can see and hear how music is created. Although most indoor concerts aren't conducive to infants and toddlers, there are plenty of outdoor music festivals that are often free, and welcome to children of all ages.
• Instead of turning on the television to pass time, play a CD or turn on the radio while your baby is playing.
• Invest in some simple musical instruments such as rhythm sticks, shakers, jingle bells and a xylophone. Let your baby explore the different sounds that each instrument makes.
• Take an early childhood music class with your baby!
• Foster good listening skills from an early age. Help your child hear the differences in sounds that surround him. Listen to the trains, planes, birds, wind, rain and thunder. In music, point out loud and soft, fast and slow, and high and low.
• Introduce songs and rhythmic chants that have actions your baby can watch or do with you, such as "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" or "Pat-a-Cake."

Want to see more?

• Sing and Play with Your Baby
• Kindermusik: Something to Sing About
• Songs to Soothe Your Baby