Even before iPods, some expert figured this out: Music gets to people. In a good way. And like the latest pop hit wafting over a stadium full of preteen girls in hormone-induced rapture, music offers a variety of benefits for your baby. It can relax him, engage him and stimulate him. So let the music play from day one:
Play upbeat tunes in the car.
There’s a huge variety of children’s music with simple lyrics and melodies designed to engage the little people. Don’t miss Justin Roberts, Ralph’s World, Dan Zanes and Laurie Berkner.
Play calming music before bedtime.
Anything relaxing is appropriate. Pull out your old Joni Mitchell CD or play classical lullabies.
Sing, sing a song.
Your baby really doesn’t care if you can carry a tune. He’ll love your enthusiasm, and in his (admittedly limited) world, you have perfect pitch. Can’t remember a single song from childhood? The lyrics are probably back there behind the periodic table you memorized in high school, the details of your job and critical current news like the dating status of every Hollywood celebrity. Do a quick online search for “children’s song lyrics,” and you’ll find dozens of websites that can refresh your memory.
Demystifying the Mozart Effect
The Mozart Effect. Catchy, isn’t it? Could be the sequel to The Da Vinci Code or the next Tom Cruise flick. Actually, it’s an urban myth of motherhood. The real Mozart Effect originated with a 1993 study at the University of California–Irvine. The researchers gave college students, not babies, spatial reasoning problems from a standard IQ test after (1) ten minutes listening to Mozart’s Sonata for Two Pianos in D Major, (2) ten minutes with a nonmusical relaxation tape, and (3) ten minutes waiting in silence. The students performed best after listening to Mozart. And that’s what the hoopla’s all about.
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Even the researchers acknowledged that the positive effect on spatial reasoning didn’t last past fifteen minutes, and the findings have been hotly debated ever since. Academics have tested Mozart and other forms of music in various contexts, with mixed results. The original Mozart Effect has not been consistently replicated; a team from Appalachian State University attempted to replicate the initial study and found Mozart music had no statistically significant effect. And some researchers believe the original test score improvements could be attributed to arousal or improved mood rather than enhanced reasoning.
Despite the short-term and limited positive effect in the original study and the ongoing controversy within the scientific community, news of a potential IQ optimizer spread through the generation of parents burdened with baby brain boosting like a bad Internet virus. A cottage industry evolved around media coverage and marketing hype, and the governor of Georgia proclaimed all newborns in his state would receive classical CDs. Many parents now honestly believe classical music ranks up there with rice cereal as a year one essential. Mozart music makes babies smarter, the myth goes, despite the lack of conclusive evidence.
But now you know the facts, so don’t feel guilty if you haven’t been playing classical CDs since your child was able to hear in utero.
We all know music can be stimulating, relaxing, joyful, and inspiring—and a home filled with beautiful sound is enriching for everyone. Play music whenever you’re in the mood, just don’t expect it to be your baby’s golden key to the Ivy League.
© 2006, Paige Hobey with Allison Nied, M.D.
from The Working Gal’s Guide to Babyville: Your Must-Have Manual for Life with Baby, DaCapo Lifelong Books, 2006