Music supports language, memory, social confidence, movement and creativity in children of all ages.
Singing and music play an important role in our culture. Music is present in theatre, television, movies, worship, holidays, celebrations and everyday family life.
From birth, parents instinctively use music to calm and soothe children, express love and joy, and engage with them. Families can build on these natural instincts by understanding how music supports child development.
A 2016 study at the University of Southern California's Brain and Creativity Institute found that musical experiences in childhood can accelerate brain development, especially in language acquisition and reading skills.
Learning an instrument can also support mathematical learning and broader academic confidence, but achievement is only one part of the benefit.
Music ignites many areas of child development and school readiness, including intellectual, social-emotional, motor, language and literacy skills. It helps the body and mind work together.
Exposing children to music during early development helps them learn sounds and meanings of words. Dancing to music helps build motor skills while giving children a chance to practise self-expression.
Children of all ages express themselves through music. Infants sway or bounce to rhythm, preschoolers often make up songs while they play, and older children may use music to build friendships and share feelings.
Preschool children often enjoy songs with repeated words, rhythms with a clear beat, nursery rhymes, finger plays and songs about familiar toys, animals and people.
School-age children may enjoy songs involving counting, spelling or remembering sequences, and may begin to express clear preferences for different kinds of music.
Teenagers often use music to form friendships and identity. They may become interested in lessons, bands, performance or writing their own music.
There is no downside to bringing children and music together through enjoyable activities. Music can enrich children's lives from the moment they are born.
Reposted from Bright Horizons Education Team.