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The Practical Fruits of Early Music Exposure

Photography: Loren Stow

• Music changes the way neurons fire in your brain, after approximately 10 minutes of listening to a piano sonata your brain displays more orderly and efficient electrical impulses.
• Music allows the brain to prepare itself to perform complex algebra problems.
• The patterns found in music are similar to the patterns found in mathematics.
• Both music and mathematics follow logical order and sequence.
• Music increases spatial reasoning skills which is needed for understanding mathematics.

• The rhythm recognition within music helps with the ability to recognise syllables.
• Pitch awareness in music assists with phonetic awareness in reading.
• Auditory conceptualisation (the ability to hear a song in your mind) assists when children start to read (by hearing words in their minds).
• The repetitive nature of the words in songs increases vocabulary which aids with understanding what youre reading.

• Music aids with building the ability to remember.
• The patterns and predictability of music builds intellectual development.
• Music helps to encourage goal orientation.

• Predictability of music and repetition increases feelings of security - especially with younger babies.
• Enjoying music develops joint attention and allows parent and child to share a moment together.
• Music teaches imitation - especially when it comes to songs that have movements or specific sounds.
• Music sets an emotional tone, allowing your baby to experience various emotions such as excitement, calmness, sleepiness, sadness, happiness etc.
• Music is a form of self-expression and fosters joy.