| Baby music and intelligence - it's been a source of | | | | plenty of research to support the theory that classical |
| continued studies for both childcare experts and | | | | music can indeed set a child up for academic success. |
| scientists alike. As parents become more invested in | | | | In a 2005 study published by National Geographic, |
| giving their children the tools they need for exceptional | | | | researchers were able to show that babies learn to |
| social, mental and physical development - even while | | | | adapt to their surroundings and their culture by using |
| still in the womb - many psychologists and scientists | | | | rhythms. This study went on to show that by watching |
| have become intrigued by the conjecture that listening | | | | brain activity, researchers concluded that babies were |
| to the right baby music can not only make your child | | | | better able to understand complex rhythms than adults. |
| smarter; it can even help your child become a more | | | | After all, doesn't life outside of the laboratory support |
| socially intelligent adult. | | | | this conjecture as well? Just look at how mothers use |
| There's no shortage of research out there to support | | | | repeating patterns in order to help their children learn |
| the hypothesis that babies who listen to classical music | | | | new words, like "Ma ma" and "Da da". Through |
| - even while in the womb - are quicker to learn and | | | | firsthand experience, it's plain to see that your baby |
| get better grades on schoolwork than their peers who | | | | uses sound rhythms in order to make sense of his or |
| didn't listen to classical music as a baby. Manufacturers | | | | her environment. |
| have certainly picked up on this trend and have | | | | Many childcare experts even believe that children as |
| developed an entire empire dedicated to using music | | | | young as 12 months in age - long before they finish |
| as a tool for increasing mental and social intelligence. | | | | developing rudimentary cognitive skills - show signs of |
| Brands like Baby Beethoven® have become some | | | | tuning into the music of their culture and surrounding |
| of the most popular products on the market today, | | | | environment. This evidence is further supported by a |
| with more parents than ever curious about baby music | | | | young child's ability to learn the sound patterns and |
| and how it can positively influence their own infant. | | | | rhythms of foreign languages, because this learning |
| And why shouldn't parents be naturally inquisitive about | | | | ability is supported by similar neurological pathways in |
| this research? After all, even if baby music doesn't do | | | | the brain. This is why experts recommend that children |
| anything for your child's cognitive abilities, how can | | | | learn foreign languages and how to read music as |
| encouraging a taste for classical music be viewed as | | | | young as possible, before these vital neurological |
| a "bad" thing? | | | | pathways disappear as they grow older. |
| Even those who argue against the effect of baby | | | | As if this wasn't enough to convince parents that baby |
| music can't disagree with the evidence proposed by | | | | music is a great tool for increasing cognitive intelligence, |
| scientists on just how powerful a childhood rich in | | | | many researchers have even proven that listening to |
| music can be for a person's intelligence. For example, | | | | music can improve memory and recall; best of all, |
| according to a San Diego Tribune article in 2004, | | | | these findings apply to every age range. So if you |
| researchers were able to determine a causal link | | | | have a hard time remembering where you put your |
| between those children who not only listened to | | | | keys in the morning, try listening to a little Mozart on the |
| classical music but played an instrument as well, and | | | | drive to work to give your brain a vigorous workout! |
| better grades in school subjects like math and science. | | | | However, many scientists firmly believe that baby |
| Many people wouldn't argue with the findings of this | | | | music doesn't have to be limited to classical |
| research either, as musicians often score higher in | | | | compositions. Any kind of music will help your baby to |
| math and science subjects than their peers who don't | | | | become smarter, since it's more about rhythm and |
| have a musical background. | | | | sound patterns rather than classical tastes. Your baby |
| In short, baby music will make your child smarter - but | | | | will respond just as enthusiastically to Latin music as he |
| also playing an instrument can really set your child up | | | | would Beethoven; so if there's a particular musical |
| for mental and social success as he or she matures | | | | genre that you prefer, don't be shy about sharing your |
| into adulthood. | | | | interests with your baby - the point of baby music is to |
| Yet for those who still argue against the concept of | | | | encourage your child to not only adapt to her |
| babies who are better able to learn because they | | | | surroundings, but to set her up for academic success! |
| listened to music while still in the womb, there's still | | | | |