| Do you like music? Whether it is rock, jazz, | | | | groups to dance). In addition, music improves |
| classical country, rap, easy listening or polka, music | | | | vocal, speaking and listening skills. |
| is important in our everyday lives. It can bring out | | | | 2. Rhythm and pitch are part of your child's |
| a rainbow of emotions in us. The slow, soulful | | | | natural development. Sometimes childrenwould |
| playing of violins can remind us of past loved | | | | rather sing than listen, skip than walk, and dance |
| ones. A strong beat can give us energy and | | | | instead of standing still. Is this normal? It is, and |
| motivation before starting an important task. And | | | | here is proof: |
| so-called "elevator music" helps to calm our | | | | A fetus is already aware of the heartbeat of |
| nerves while waiting in doctors' waiting rooms. | | | | his or her mother. |
| Regardless of your background, such as being | | | | For centuries, music and lullabies have |
| Amish and living in Amish Country Ohio, music is a | | | | become standard methods for helping babies to |
| part of your life. But how important is music to | | | | fall asleep. |
| our babies? | | | | In what experts refer to as "The Mozart |
| Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, for whom the Baby | | | | Effect," exposure to classical music can have a |
| Mozart Music Festival DVD is named after, has | | | | significantly positive effect on humans' physical |
| become one of the most celebrated composers | | | | and mental health. Several studies have proven |
| of all time. However, his musical achievements as | | | | this theory. And this beneficial effect of classical |
| a child are equally amazing. At the age of just | | | | music influences not only adults, but children as |
| three-years-old, Mozart was already playing the | | | | well. |
| clavichord (basically, a small piano). One year later, | | | | 3. The sharing of musical instruments and playing |
| he was already writing short pieces of music! | | | | in a "band" can help toddlers to learn important |
| Signs of Mozart's musical genius continued during | | | | social skills. |
| his childhood. At just five-years-old, he gave his | | | | 4. Music can have an important influence on the |
| first concert at an Austrian university. At | | | | development of a child's brain, particularly through |
| seven-years-old, Mozart once picked up a violin | | | | the age of six-years-old. During these years, the |
| and played perfectly part of a musical piece that | | | | most significant brain development occurs. |
| was new to him. Amazingly, Mozart had never | | | | 5. Infants and toddlers tend to be less inhibited |
| had a single formal violin lessons! Young Mozart | | | | about making errors, than older children are. After |
| toured Europe for three years, and was featured | | | | children start elementary school, they are required |
| in various concerts for kings and queens. When he | | | | to learn the "correct" way to sing a song or play |
| returned to Austria, he wrote his first opera at | | | | an instrument. However, pre-school children can |
| the age of 11-years-old! | | | | have jam session on a toy grand piano, without |
| Will your child be the next Mozart? Well, whether | | | | being worried about hitting the right keys. As a |
| or not your child is Amish and living in Amish | | | | parent, try to grin and bear the sour notes. |
| Country Ohio, music is nonetheless important in | | | | Not every child can become a musical genius. |
| his or her life. Here are some reasons why | | | | However, regardless of whether or not you are |
| nurturing early childhood music is so vital: | | | | Amish and living in Amish Country Ohio, music is |
| 1. Music can help to develop a child's fine motor | | | | fundamental in nurturing your child's physical, |
| skills (i.e. using small muscle groups to play a piano) | | | | mental, and social development. It is more than |
| and gross motor skills (i.e. using large muscle | | | | just music to his or her ears. |