Music is everywhere. From before we are born we are exposed to music – high and low pitches, loud and soft sounds, steady beats and changing rhythms. We know that a child can recognise and respond to sounds from inside the womb, and that it is often the most familiar sound of all, a parent’s voice, that acts to soothe or calm a distressed baby. Exposure to music and participation in the making of music during early childhood can have a significant effect on the development of your child.
It is never too early to start, but that doesn’t mean that you need to sign your 3 month old up for lessons! Music is everywhere – it is simply a matter of being aware of opportunities to create and respond to it in everyday situations. And the good news is that you don’t have to be ‘musical’ to do this! Dr Peter deVries is a lecturer in the Faculty of Education at Monash University, and is the Music Council of Australia’s early childhood music education expert. He has some tips about engaging your child in music:
As you child grows, so will their relationship with music. Visit the Huggie’s toddler development section to find out more about the developmental benefits of music for kids.