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Beyond Lullabies
Introducing Baby to the
World of Music
World of Music
By Sue Poremba
Music plays an important role in a baby's development, says Janet Moore, associate professor of music at the University of South Florida. "It offers a nonverbal form of communication and expression that is a part of their development as a thinking, feeling human being," she says. "Their brains are developing at a rapid pace, and exercising their synapses with quality experiences with sound expands their ability to perceive."
Like adults and older children, babies like to move when they hear music. Motor skills are developed as the baby wiggles and sways and bounces in rhythm with the beat.
Moore agrees. "The goal is not to scare them with sudden, sharp sounds, but rather to interest them and allow them time to hear patterns and qualities," she says. While loud, house-shaking music is out, there is nothing wrong with low-volume Van Halen.
"All kinds of music are good for young ears," says Terry Fonda-Smith, coordinator of early childhood music at the Eastman School of Music, University of Rochester. "A variety of styles, genres, instruments, voices and tempos is excellent for giving children 'flexible' ears and immersion in all kinds of music. Parents shouldn't feel that once they have a child theirlistening habits need to change. If anything, they should expand, rather than be restricted to only 'kid' songs."
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