By Laura Blattner
Source: iParenting.com

Music is truly a universal language. Babies drift into slumber as they listen to the softly hummed melodies of an adoring mother. Laughter and joy echo through a schoolyard as children play "Ring around the Rosies." We reverently bury our dead to the quiet harmonies of a hymn. No matter what language is spoken, music has the potential to penetrate through all barriers -- regardless of gender, race, religion, financial or social status.

So why is music important for your baby? "We know babies need a nurturing, stimulating and consistent environment," says Dr. George Askew, a developmental pediatrician at Zero to Three, a non-profit organization and one of the nation's leading resources on the first three years of life (www.zerotothree.org). "Music is a wonderful tool that helps to promote time shared together with a parent."

Conflicting research disputes the validity of the highly popularized Mozart Effect®, in which music is believed to have transformational powers in health, intelligence and well-being. "You can't use music to make your baby smarter," admits Dr. Askew. "However, music is one of many tools that can be used as a bridge to building a solid relationship with your child in the early years. Reading a book, bathing, playing, singing and the everyday magical moments in life are all important facets of a nurturing relationship."

Lisa Clayton of Salt Lake City, Utah, mother to 3-year-old Anna and 1-month-old Kate, says music has had a profound effect on both of her children from the first days of life. Clayton began attending a local Kindermusik® class for parents and babies when her oldest daughter, Anna, was just 3 months old. Clayton immediately noticed that music provided her with new tools to develop her relationship with her daughter. "It was nurturing, stimulating, and bonding for us," she says.

At about 3 months of age, Anna started to become very fussy in the evenings, and required much more attention than before. Clayton couldn't find any way to console her much of the time. One particular evening, Clayton began singing Anna one of the lullabies she had learned at her Kindermusik® class. "As soon as I started singing 'Lavender's Blue,' Anna immediately calmed down and focused on my voice and face. I was amazed at what a powerful effect music had on her," says Clayton.

Not only has music had a dramatic influence on Anna as an infant, it has also provided Clayton with a way to mold Anna's behavior as a toddler. Whenever she begins acting out, Clayton has always been able to use music to redirect Anna and encourage good behavior.

One of the most heart-warming influences Clayton has seen from their musical experiences is watching Anna now sing the same lullaby to her newborn sister, who responds just as Anna did as an infant.

You don't have to have a fantastic singing voice to enjoy music with your child. Even if you claim no musical talents, you can delight your child when you engage in musical experiences together. Babies naturally love the facial expressions of a parent, the inflection of their voice and the rhythmic repetition of speech. These elements soothe, stimulate and entertain; but most importantly, they facilitate a bond between you and your child.

So often, music is perceived as something extra that you can expose your children to once they have mastered life's basic skills. In reality, music can open doors to create a more balanced and healthy child, both physically and emotionally. Instead of waiting until your child is old enough to take formal lessons on an instrument, try making music an important part of your child's life now by using some of these simple ideas:

• Sing to your baby, even if you think you can't!
• Make music a part of your bedtime routine. Play a CD in your child's room to help her relax and fall asleep.
• Expose your child to a wide variety of musical styles. Don't feel that it needs to be classical music or lullabies exclusively -- try some jazz, country, Broadway or folk music!
• Turn on the radio and dance with your child! Do a waltz, tango, country line dancing, whatever you like -- your baby will love the physical sensations of swaying, rocking and bouncing to music!
• Expose your baby to a live performance so she can see and hear how music is created. Although most indoor concerts aren't conducive to infants and toddlers, there are plenty of outdoor music festivals that are often free, and welcome to children of all ages.
• Instead of turning on the television to pass time, play a CD or turn on the radio while your baby is playing.
• Invest in some simple musical instruments such as rhythm sticks, shakers, jingle bells and a xylophone. Let your baby explore the different sounds that each instrument makes.
• Take an early childhood music class with your baby!
• Foster good listening skills from an early age. Help your child hear the differences in sounds that surround him. Listen to the trains, planes, birds, wind, rain and thunder. In music, point out loud and soft, fast and slow, and high and low.
• Introduce songs and rhythmic chants that have actions your baby can watch or do with you, such as "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" or "Pat-a-Cake."

We all want to give our children the very best of everything life has to offer. By making music a fundamental ingredient in your everyday routine, not only will you be fortifying your relationship, but your child will also gain a greater appreciation for the beauty and diversity of the world around them. So toss aside your musical inhibitions and remember that even though you may get the pitches all wrong and mix up the words, you will be forever changing the relationship between you and your precious audience of one.

Lullabies

Hickory, Dickory, Dock Hickory, dickory, dock, The mouse ran up the clock; The clock struck one, The mouse ran down; Hickory, dickory, dock.

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