It's no coincidence that lullabies are the language of babies and parents. Long before our children can speak, we know instinctively that the songs we sing will help soothe them, make them giggle and encourage them to eat a last bite of rice cereal.
In this issue of Seeds of Learning, we look at new research on music and its positive role in young children's lives.

Music for learning...

A decade ago, many parents eager to give their little ones an academic jump-start began playing classical music in the nursery and strapping devices that played rhythms similar to those found in classical music to their pregnant tummies. This was based on research findings dubbed the "Mozart effect," the idea that listening to music like that of classical composer Amadeus Mozart could make a person smarter.

Further studies of the "Mozart effect" have proven that though music lessons and listening to rhythmic musical patterns can increase brain activity, this effect is short-lived, lasting only 10 minutes to 24 hours.

Despite these findings, there are still many positive reasons to include music in young children's lives. Singing, playing instruments and learning to appreciate music can enhance children's development in other dramatic ways. Here are some examples:

• Socially—When children sing, dance and make music with you and others, they are learning how to be part of a group, to learn from others, to take turns and to make friends in creative ways.
   
• Emotionally—When children listen to a wide range of music styles, they learn about the many different ways they can feel. (For example, "This music makes me feel sad," or "When I listen to this, I get silly!")
   
• Intellectually—Research shows that pre-math, pre-reading and spoken language connections happen when children decide on the words to use when singing, tap out the rhythm of their name on a drum, sing the "ABCs," imitate sounds and mimic words they hear in songs.
   
• Physically—Whirling and twirling to the sound of music and filling the lungs to belt out a tune can give children's bodies a great workout.
   
• Boosting self-esteem/encouraging risk-taking—When you respond to your children's music-making with smiles and positive words ("I really like that song, let's sing it again!"), they're encouraged to take more chances with music. Music-making also allows them to make choices and learn about their likes and dislikes (e.g., "I like the sound this box makes when I hit it, but I really like the crash of pans").
   
• Stimulating creativity—There are many ways for children to sing the songs they learn and make up-high, low, fast, slow and with lots and lots of expression. Children's musical creations can become lullabies for dolls and soundtracks as they zoom their trucks through a sand pit. Music can also inspire children to dance, act out what they hear and paint what a song says to them with colorful finger-paints.

Music for joy...

Another important, but sometimes overlooked, benefit of making music with your young children is that it is just plain fun. If you like belting out your favorite tune while driving in the car, you should try it with a couple of three-year-old back-up singers!

Parent and Kindermusik teacher Taunya Hannibal-Williams says that as adults we often put too much emphasis on whether our singing is on key or the music we play will make our babies smarter. She points out that all children are musical and, regardless of children's abilities or disabilities, homes that are filled with music can enrich youngsters' lives and their families' lives too. [top]

Family music-making
Ways families can encourage creative music-making at home

Making music with young children is a wonderful way to be spontaneous and encourage everyone's creativity. It can also boost children's language development, math and spatial-reasoning skills, self-confidence, sense of belonging and the ability to work cooperatively with others.

Here are some musical activities for you and your family to try:

• Introduce your children to the music you love and to other musical styles. The local library is a treasure trove of free music from around the world.
   
• Play a CD instead of the TV. When children hear music instead of having it delivered along with moving images, their listening skills improve and they can tap into what they think and feel about the music.
   
• Sing with your children. Despite what you think or may have been told about your singing abilities, when you take a chance and sing a song, your children will be inspired to take the leap, too.
   
• Create simple instruments and play them together. Shakers are easy to make by pouring dried beans or rice into small plastic containers with secure lids. Empty oatmeal boxes and ice cream tubs make great drums. These can be played by hand or with a wooden spoon.
   
• Check the local newspaper for listings of musical and theatrical performances. Many of these events are free and can be a great way to help children experience the joy of live music.
   
• Collect a basket of shakers, bells, drums and rattles to keep time with the music you play or songs you sing. Store these where children can reach them when the musical urge strikes. These can also be used to liven up a play date that's losing steam. Use your instrument collection to create a song all your own-each member of the family can choose a favorite instrument or pick one at random to play together.
   
• Encourage children to make up their own songs. Start with a familiar tune like "Mary Had a Little Lamb" and help children create a new set of lyrics. Working their names into your songs can be a great hit with children. Mary Wore Her Red Dress and Henry Wore His Green Sneakers by Merle Peek is a fun picture book to use for inspiration.
   
• Give musical gifts. Rhythm instruments, xylophones, child-operable CD players and children's music collections are readily available at local department and toy stores. [top]

• She'll Be Comin' Round the Mountain by Kathleen Bullock
• It's Raining, It's Pouring by Kin Eagle
• I Know an Old Lady by G. Brian Karas
• Take Me Out to the Ballgame by Maryann Kovalski
• America the Beautiful by Katharine Lee Bates
• Hush Little Baby by Sylvia Long
• Inch by Inch: The Garden Song by David Mallett
• Baby Beluga by Raffi
• My Favorite Things by Richard Rodgers
• Abiyoyo by Pete Seeger
• Just the Two of Us by Will Smith
• Fiddle-I-Fee by Melissa Sweet
• Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star by Jane Taylor
• The Itsy Bitsy Spider by Iza Trapani
• Bingo by Rosemary Wells
• The Wheels on the Bus by Paul O. Zelinsky
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