Regardless of where a child grows up, music often becomes an essential part of their early life. From a young age, parents and family members introduce them to songs, singing lullabies and simple tunes. As children grow, music becomes a tool for learning and remembering important information. Eventually, they start to develop their own musical tastes and preferences.
For most people, music plays a significant role in their lives even before they acquire the skills to read, write, perform math, or even speak. Many adults can recall specific songs tied to their childhood. Perhaps there was a favorite song their parents sang to comfort them, or a tune that brings back memories of a special season. Some might even remember learning multiplication tables through catchy songs, and even as adults, they may still hum the melody to recall the answer to “What’s 5 times 9?”
Music is an ever-present part of life, but how exactly does it influence a child’s development? What are the effects of music on the brain, and what skills does it help nurture? Read on to explore the many benefits of music in childhood development.
How Music Supports Brain Development in Children
The impact of music on brain development has been a subject of research for many years. Recent studies have revealed that early exposure to music has a significant positive effect on a child’s brain development. For instance, a 2016 study found that engaging with music during early childhood can accelerate brain growth, particularly in areas related to language acquisition and reading skills.
Additional research has highlighted a connection between musical training and academic performance. A study by the National Association of Music Merchants in the United States discovered that children who learn to play a musical instrument tend to perform better on high school tests compared to their peers who don’t play an instrument.
While academic achievement is a key benefit, the advantages of music go beyond education. Music is also a source of enjoyment, which is crucial for a child’s emotional and mental well-being. It provides a fun and engaging way for children to explore, interact with, and understand the world around them, making it an essential part of their growth.
Why Music is Crucial for Early Childhood Development
Beyond academic benefits and providing catchy tunes for dancing, music plays a vital role in various aspects of early childhood development. Let’s explore how it positively impacts a child’s growth.
Enhances Fine and Gross Motor Control
Motor skills are essential for a child’s ability to perform physical tasks. These skills develop over time, starting with gross motor skills, which involve larger muscle groups, such as walking and sitting independently. Fine motor skills, on the other hand, require smaller muscles for tasks like drawing or tying shoelaces.
Music encourages movement, which is key to enhancing both fine and gross motor skills. Whether through dancing, clapping, or playing instruments, these activities improve brain-body coordination, helping children gain better control over their physical actions. The more children move, the more they learn about their body’s capabilities, improving their overall motor control.
Fosters Intimacy and Connection
Research suggests that strong, intimate relationships are crucial for a child’s development. The more contact children have with their parents and caregivers during the early years, the better prepared they are for navigating the world.
Music is an excellent way to strengthen the bond between children and their caregivers. Studies have shown that babies pay more attention to songs or lullabies than to adult conversations. Lullabies, in particular, provide comfort and help calm children, creating a sense of security that fosters emotional development.
Cultivates a Sense of Belonging
A sense of belonging is essential for a child’s understanding of their identity. Children first experience belonging within their families, but as they grow, they begin to explore new social groups, such as schoolmates, teammates, and community members. Music can play a pivotal role in this process.
When children encounter new environments, such as a classroom, they may feel uncertain and scared. Music has the unique power to bridge these gaps by uniting children with common interests. Sharing a favorite song learned in class can spark new friendships and create a sense of belonging, helping children navigate the complex social landscape of early childhood.
Music Boosts Creativity and Brain Development
As a child’s brain develops, they begin to mimic sounds from their surroundings. This might sound like communication, but it’s actually a natural process that strengthens neural pathways in the brain, essential for future language skills.
Studies show that babies who are spoken to directly develop larger vocabularies compared to those who aren’t. This direct exposure to sound aids in the development of neural pathways, and music plays a similar role. Music stimulates curiosity and imagination by introducing children to new ideas and concepts, fostering creativity as they learn to express themselves.
Music Enhances IQ and Cognitive Abilities
Parents often go above and beyond to provide their children with the best opportunities for success. From encouraging extracurricular activities to ensuring sufficient rest, parents understand that these factors contribute to their children’s overall development.
Research has shown that music education, in particular, can have a significant impact on a child’s IQ. A 2004 study tested children’s IQ before and after taking piano lessons for nine months, revealing an average IQ increase of at least three points. Music education can serve as a powerful tool for boosting cognitive abilities and intelligence.
Music Helps Cultivate Patience
Children are often known for their lack of patience, and this can be attributed to their perception of time. What feels like a short wait for adults can seem like an eternity for children. However, learning patience is a skill that can be developed over time.
Learning a musical instrument is an excellent way to teach children patience. Through regular lessons and practice, children quickly learn that consistent effort leads to progress. The ability to persevere and wait for long-term rewards is an essential life skill that music helps to nurture.
Music Improves Sensory Development
Sensory development is crucial in a child’s early years. It involves learning to use and interpret the five senses—vision, hearing, touch, taste, and smell. As children grow, they begin to understand their environment and develop an awareness of how their actions and senses interact.
Exposure to music in early childhood supports sensory development by strengthening neural connections in the brain. This cognitive enhancement is amplified when combined with other activities, such as dancing and singing. Children with improved sensory control tend to excel in areas like mathematics, art, architecture, and gaming.
The Link Between Music and Literacy Development
Language processing is a complex skill that takes years to develop, and it begins with listening. As children learn to understand spoken language, they set the foundation for reading, writing, and comprehension skills. What many don’t realize is that the brain processes language and music in a similar manner.
Children who engage in music education typically develop better listening skills than their peers, which directly improves their ability to read, write, and understand language. By learning music, children gain a strong foundation for literacy development that can benefit them throughout their academic journey.
Music Enhances Emotional Development
Understanding and regulating emotions is a critical skill that children must learn, and music plays an important role in this development. Parents who have patiently waited for a tantrum to end in a store know how challenging this can be.
Children who are exposed to music or who study an instrument tend to develop higher levels of empathy and emotional awareness. They are more likely to understand and express their emotions, allowing them to communicate their needs effectively.
Music also serves as a powerful tool in managing emotions, especially when it comes to anxiety. It can uplift a child’s mood, providing relief from negative emotions and offering a much-needed break from stress.
Music Improves Coordination and Motor Skills
How to Enhance Musical Learning in the Classroom
Many educators understand the benefits of incorporating music into their classrooms but often find it challenging to implement effectively. This is understandable, as teachers are expected to deliver high-quality lessons while balancing the needs of students and parents. Fortunately, with the help of Educational Technology (EdTech), integrating music into the classroom has never been easier.
The Role of EdTech in Music Education
Educational Technology, or EdTech, is transforming the way music is taught in classrooms. Far from being futuristic, EdTech aims to enhance the learning process, making education more efficient and accessible. It doesn’t replace traditional teaching methods but complements them, allowing students to engage with music even if they don’t have access to physical instruments or specialized music teachers.
One of the key advantages of EdTech is that it makes music education available to more students. Schools that may lack a dedicated music room, instruments, or full-time music teachers can still provide musical learning experiences through technology—often at a fraction of the cost.
How Music Apps Support Musical Development
One of the most effective ways EdTech is improving music education is through music learning apps. Mussila is a prime example of how technology is revolutionizing music instruction.
Mussila is an award-winning music education app that offers an entire music curriculum without requiring physical instruments or a music teacher. All that’s needed is a device with internet access, making music education accessible to students everywhere.
Mussila’s approach, based on the mantra “Learn, Play, Create,” helps students of all ages engage with music in a fun and interactive way. The app is available in versions for both parents and schools. The school version features a teacher’s panel, allowing educators to track student progress, assign tasks, and create customized lesson plans. Mussila for schools is an affordable way to integrate music into the curriculum, making it a great option for schools with limited resources.
Conclusion
Music has been a part of human life for centuries, and it continues to play an essential role in shaping children’s development. By incorporating music into the classroom through technology, educators can unlock new potential in their students and provide them with valuable skills that extend beyond the classroom.
To give children the best opportunities for growth, it’s time to embrace music in education. With the help of apps like Mussila, teachers can make music learning fun, engaging, and accessible to every student.