The Magic of Music

It is finally October! For many people, this means Fall and Halloween. Here at The Parenting Center, it means music. October 1 is Kids Music Day! This day celebrates the importance of music in children's lives.

Before we talk about the benefits of music, I want you to think about your favorite song and take note of how it makes you feel, the memories it brings up, and if you want to move to the music in your head. That is the magic of music!

How does music benefit children?

Let's get a little clinical by talking about some of the benefits of music for children. One of the largest benefits is brain growth. Music stimulates the brain in a unique way. Studies have shown that listening to music, playing an instrument, or singing can create neural pathways that improve the brain's structure.

What else does music do? It can build language skills by improving speech development and reading skills. This is due to the impact music has on brain regions responsible for language, processing sound, speech perception, and reading skills.

Finally, creating or listening to music with others produces an environment that helps children develop social and emotional skills. Consider the process of making music, it involves working cooperatively together to create a song. Having conversations about how a song makes you and others feel or the story it is telling, is a great ways for kids to learn social and emotional skills. These types of musical activities engage different brain regions that are important throughout life.

The magic of music goes beyond simply engaging our sense of hearing. It ignites brain regions that can impact a child's development. It is also a great opportunity to connect with others, especially when a parent makes music with their child. Take a little time today to discover a new genre of music with your child or make an instrument and make wonderful music together.

Monet Somerville, MS
Parent Educator
Monet received her Bachelor’s of Arts in Psychology from North Carolina Wesleyan College. She then went on to receive her Master’s in Science in Psychology with a Concentration in Child and Adolescent Development from Capella University. She is currently pursuing her PhD in Developmental Psychology with a Concentration in Child and Adolescent Development. Monet is also a licensed Trust Based Relational Intervention Practitioner.

Prior to working to The Parenting Center, Monet worked as a Case Manager in a residential facility for adolescent girls who were in foster care but were unable to be placed in a foster home. She also taught foster parents about child development and the impacts that positive parenting can make on a child.