Can playing music to your baby or young child make her smarter? That was the claim of the much-hyped "Mozart Effect" several years ago, but the truth isn't exactly black and white.{relatedarticles} Certainly, music is a great complement for stimulating babies' brains and teaching toddlers vocabulary, but the jury's out on whether or not it increases intelligence, particularly classical music. If you like it and want to expose your baby to it, then by all means, go for it. But babies also simply enjoy hearing whatever tunes you like to play, from Mozart to Maroon 5. Music does reduce stress in babies and provides a bonding experience between you and the baby.
Bouncing baby on your lap or tapping his little toes in time with the music can help improve balance and develop his sense of timing. In toddlers, singing can help build little ones' vocabulary and with songs like the Clean Up and Wheels on the Bus songs, they may teach valuable lessons. {relatedarticles}Preschoolers enjoy getting hands-on with instruments, even taking lessons or music classes. Help grade-schoolers expand their musical horizons by exposing them to several genres, like reggae, rock and classical music. At this age, allow extracurricular activities, like chorus and lessons, that help develop musical abilities. Use your child's musical discoveries as bonding time, and if they happen to pick up a few brain cells or develop other skills along the way, then that's great.