The Influence of Music on Child Behavior

After a baby is born, its environment directly impacts its growth and development. This is why many experts tout the importance of bonding with your baby. One way to engage with your child is through music, which experts agree has a significant impact on their communication skills, cognitive development, and overall social-emotional well-being.

In later years, according to data from the U.S. Department of Education, students who are involved in music have higher levels of mathematics proficiency at the high school level. In fact, those who take music classes in middle school score significantly higher in high school algebra assessments than their non-musical counterparts.

These academic insights, of course, are likely the result of the overall impact music has on a child’s behavior coupled with its ability to increase their attention span, focus, communication, and reasoning skills.

“Even during the early stages of childhood before a child is consciously aware of what music is, exposing children to music early on can have a lot of positive impact,” Kira Morrison, a music teacher and children’s performer, told Mom.com. “Incorporating music and play can open your child’s mind to creativity and expression. Allowing them to explore music in a free and safe space opens up a world of possibilities for them to find, experience, and express joy and their imagination.”

Through all ages and stages, music can be beneficial to a child’s well-being, and there are countless ways to incorporate it into their daily lives, from birth through the teen years.

And what about before birth? A controversial study in the nineties had hopeful parents playing classical music to their babies in utero in an effort to give birth to a smarter child. Today, experts agree that while this practice may not boost a baby’s IQ, the music can have a soothing and relaxing effect on the parent — which in turn carries over to a calm baby.

Birth to age 3
In the toddler years, music can be a tool caregivers use to create routines and transition from one activity to another. Incorporating special songs before introducing a new activity, or when having to put on shoes and leave the house, clean up toys or go to bed can alleviate stress. Your child will begin to correlate the song with the action or what’s required of them, making for a smooth transition.

Morrison, who also leads classes with the children’s music group Jam with Jamie, says a song can take the mundane to the magical. “Music is a great way to incorporate fun and playfulness into day-to-day activities/tasks that you want your child to become accustomed to, such as cleaning up, eating meals, and getting ready for bed,” she said. “You can get into the habit of singing a clean-up song every time you clean up, and learn songs that are related to the foods you’re preparing — songs like ‘Apples and Bananas,’ and ‘Fruit Salad’ — so your child can associate even the most plain of veggies with something that is musical and enjoyable.”

Ages 3 to 4
At this age, your child is better able to sing along, clap, jump, and dance to music. An increased attention span allows them to focus longer, making them ready to use simple instruments like toy pianos, drums, or tambourines.

Playing simple music and dancing can also help younger children express big emotions in a healthy way by providing an outlet for their frustrations beyond aggression and destructive behavior. Transitions may continue to be a problem for kids this age, so start the day with upbeat good morning songs for kids or sing a clean-up song to motivate them when it’s time to switch to a new activity.

Ages 4 to 6
As your child transitions from preschool to school-age, their ability to focus improves making this age the perfect time to begin music lessons. Many children this age are introduced to the recorder, or start to learn simple songs on the piano.

The practice periods required to learn an instrument can teach a child of school age patience and improve concentration, These are skills that will carry over into other parts of their lives like when they need to wait in line, take turns, or learn to read.

Elizabeth, a homeschooling mom of three, believes that musical instruments are a great way to encourage independent learning. “All the kids learn the ukulele and piano for now. In time, the kids will start to form more specific interest in instruments and follow different paths, she wrote on her Instagram page. “For now we all enjoy learning music together and building knowledge on rhythm and scales.”

Ages 6 to 10
School-age kids start learning about the power of music for changing their moods or connecting with others. Music lessons and choral groups can help teach patience and perseverance and build confidence as skills improve.

Children at this age are also learning the power that music can have on mood. Kids may use favorite songs to help them relieve boredom, relax after a stressful day, connect with friends, or get “psyched” for a game or party.

Knowing the overall positive effect of music on child behavior, how then can caregivers incorporate more of it into their child’s lives, especially with the decrease in arts education funding in schools?

Once you give birth, sing to your baby often, whether you think you have a great voice or not, your baby won’t care. As your child gets older, make an effort to attend free outdoor concerts on the common and holiday music events like The Nutcracker.

School-age children may be interested in knowing what you were like as a child, so whenever possible take the time to introduce them to your own favorite artists and genre of music.

Finally, take time to learn about music and musicians together. Use picture books and YouTube videos as a jumping-off point for exploring new music with your children.