Music, especially classical music, is an important part of many cultures. Although it's not clear exactly how early exposure to classical music affects the intelligence and development of your child, exposing your child to classical music at an early age does have numerous benefits. These benefits range from soothing a fussy child to increasing your child's abilities to solve spatial tasks, states family and consumer sciences expert Dr. Diane Bales, Ph.D. Take advantage of these possible benefits by introducing classical music to your child.
Step 1
Place a pair of headphones up to your belly during pregnancy. Play soft classical music throughout the pregnancy so that your child begins to associate the sounds of the music with you.
Step 2
After birth, play classical music during feeding times or playtime to associate the music with positive events. Use the same music during times when your child is upset to help calm her down.
Step 3
Dance with your child to classical music or have him create "interpretive" dances to the music as it plays in the background.
Step 4
Sign up your child for music lessons at an early age. Children as young as kindergarten age--or even sooner in some cases--can begin to appreciate classical music through playing instruments, especially the more accessible piano.
Step 5
Take your child to operas or classical concerts that are specifically geared toward children or family. Many opera companies, musical theater groups and symphonies specifically set aside at least one concert each year for younger viewers.
Things You'll Need
- Headphones
- Piano or keyboard
