Guest Post by Courtney Rosenfeld

Whether you’re talking about the ability to read, write, comprehend complex thoughts and scenarios, or the ability to recognize and follow speech, literacy takes on many meanings when it comes to childhood development. While focusing on talking and reading in the home is of paramount importance, music can play a prominent role in helping your child develop literacy skills and help you be a better parent. Mage Music presents some helpful tips.

‘Remodeling the brain’

Why do we sing nursery rhymes to our young children? Why have parents traditionally used music to communicate with their offspring? It’s more than just a comfort or pleasant distraction. Science is proving what parents have known for years; music helps their children to better develop. The BBC notes a couple of recent studies on music and literacy:

“Music appeared to remodel the brain to improve the connections between sounds and meaning, the process by which babies learn to speak,” noted Northwestern University researcher Dr. Nina Kraus. 

Other studies have come to similar conclusions. Though it’s impossible to say that listening to and participating in music will certainly improve a child’s overall ability to read, write and respond to social cues, a National Institutes of Health meta-analysis finds that “Children’s engagement in music practice is associated with enhancements in literacy-related language skills, as demonstrated by multiple reports.”

What it specifically improves in children

Literacy is a broad term. What does it mean to boost your child’s overall literacy through exposure to music?

According to State of Opportunity’s report, the benefits of your child’s exposure to music are the following:

• Improves listening and comprehension skills
• Enhances phonological awareness
• Boosts written word cognition
• Heightens “auditory sequencing” 
• Expands vocabulary

Both listening to and performing music involves pattern recognition, sounds and cues. Similarly, reading and writing highlight patterns, placing emphasis on important connections between audiovisual clues and meaning. These sort of neural pathways can be strengthened in young children (and even older ones). 

How to expose your child to music

You probably listen to music with your child. You probably sing to them. All of this is good, and you should continue to do so (or even increase the amount of time they are exposed to all types of music). But it’s been shown that participating in music (singing, playing an instrument, dance, low-level composition) can accelerate your child’s literacy development. Buying your child toys that are musical in nature is a good way to start. You likely don’t want to buy a new musical instrument until you’re sure your child will stick with it. One option is to invest in a kid-friendly laptop. There are many online music programs and apps that allow your child to learn an instrument. Make sure to check online reviews for the best kid-friendly laptops on the market. 

When they get a little older, activities such as choir, dance classes and ballet are good options. Also, it’s never too early to put an instrument in your child’s hands, but try not to force a specific instrument. You want your child to develop a positive association with playing music. 

Lastly, try to find a spot in the house where you can allow your child to listen to music or practice their instrument without distractions. Find a corner of a room or a room you don’t use and spend some time cleaning it up. By keeping it decluttered and organized, your child will be able to focus on the music without the stress and anxiety that clutter can often cause.

Music, literacy, and better parenting

The obvious boost to your parenting skills comes from music’s ability to not only improve your kid’s writing and reading skills, but also make them a more well-rounded human being. 

The lesser-discussed benefit involves the development of social literacy and maturation – the ability for your child to listen to and truly comprehend what you as a parent are trying to tell them – whether that be praise, discipline, or neutral instruction. When it comes to well-proven parenting strategies including Observe & Describe (being specific in describing your child’s actions to them – whether negative or positive), music can help develop the comprehension and observational skills required.

Even if music didn’t help to promote all-around literacy, it would be good to expose your child to as much of it as you can. But the scientifically proven fact is that it does. Whether it’s listening, playing or performing, you shouldn’t waste another day before you get your child involved in music.

Mage Music offers guitar, piano, voice, and electric bass lessons, as well as lessons on music theory, songwriting, and recording. Learn more by calling or texting (661) 279-6800. Request a consultation.

Courtney Rosenfeld is an author and creator of the website GigSpark.biz, where readers can learn more about the gig economy.