How To Improve Language Learning in Babies Using Music
From learning your ABCs with a simple children's song to remembering the lyrics to "Ice Ice Baby" a quarter-century later, we all recognize that the rhythms and repetition of music aid in memorization skills.Memorization, pattern and sequencing recognition and anticipation skills, and the areas of the brain responsible for all of these are stimulated by music.Babies derive benefits in language development from exposure to music before birth.Music is fun and can be used to improve language learning in babies.
Step 1: Add gestures that match the song.
At around nine months, most babies are able to control their fingers and hands, but not their speaking voice.Communication with gestures requires similar skills to those used in sign language.Music and gestures can enhance the development of your baby.Simple hand gestures can be used in simple songs to coordinate with the lyrics.If you sing the song "Wheels on the Bus", you can make the hand motions for the spinning wheels, opening doors, and so on.
Step 2: You can fill in the sounds.
Many children's songs use onomatopoeia, a word derived from the sound associated with it.You can use this as an opportunity for an early sing-along in which you sing most of the lyrics but allow the child to jump in to make the sound effects, because children can often replicate such sounds before they can speak other types of words.The song "Old McDonald" is one of the best songs for this type of activity because of its repetition, identification of different animals, and so on.It is possible for a child to pay closer attention to the other lyrics in a song if they are aware of the correct time to jump in.
Step 3: Go to the music.
Practically all kids love to dance once they are up on their feet.If you coordinate dance styles to match a song's beat andtempo, you can help the child build awareness of rhythm and cadence, two elements of language development.It also means that you have to dance.If you want to speed things up, put on your favorite hip-hop album and model some deliberate, delicate movements.The song "Hokey Pokey" is a good example of a kid-friendly song that uses simple, repeated dance moves.
Step 4: Introduce letters and numbers.
If you learned your letters with the help of the ABC Song, you may have picked up on numbers by belting out "One, two, buckle my shoe..." or "This old man, he played one..."Listening and singing to fun songs together will continue the building blocks of language and learning.Many people seem to gravitate towards the same song, but there are many different options for numbers.You can make your own songs.
Step 5: When possible, sing instead of using recorded music.
All people benefit from listening to music, from fetuses still in the womb to Alzheimer's patients.The language-development benefits of listening to recorded music are not as clear in babies and young children.No matter what you think of your voice, sing to your baby instead of listening to it.Singing to a baby is an experience that cannot be matched by recorded music.In addition to the elements of bonding and visual feedback it provides, singing in your own voice also introduces specific language patterns and tones to your child.
Step 6: Start young in life.
It is clear that babies in the womb can hear and recognize familiar voices if you place headphones on your stomach.It may seem weird to sing to your belly, but it is an easy way to start bonding with your baby.You should keep singing after the baby is born.The peak period for speech sound learning is nine months for most babies, but the earlier and more consistent stimulation of the language centers of your baby's brain, the better.
Step 7: Start with classics in your language.
The lyrics of many popular lullabies and nursery rhymes don't make sense or seem inappropriate to sing to an infant.The signature melodies and inflections that are representative of that particular language are usually present in longstanding tunes.They can help prepare your baby's brain, ears, and voice for that language.It's a good idea to put classics like "Mary Had a Little Lamb" and "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" into heavy rotation.Babies don't mind repetition, even if you get tired of singing them over and over.If you live in a bilingual household or are trying to teach your baby two languages, use classic baby songs in both languages.
Step 8: As your baby continues to grow, get creative.
For your own sanity and as a means to further your baby's language development, you can adapt the lyrics of familiar tunes to match different situations.It is possible to provide new language information within a familiar package.Try not to jam words that don't fit or too much new material into familiar songs, as "Wheels on the Bus" can easily be adapted in various ways.
Step 9: Music and language skills are related.
Music has been shown to benefit brain development, as well as language development.A 2016 U.S. study found that 9-month-old babies who were given drums to bang away on showed increased brain activity in the pattern recognition areas essential to language development, in comparison to babies given blocks or other toys to play with.To better explain the connection between hearing and/or creating music and language development, some experts rely on the OPERA thesis.It states that music stimulates an Overlap of cognitive processes used in both music and language and that it heightens the Emotional response to the stimuli.
Step 10: Prioritize repetition, rhythm and rhyme.
Every form of music has a foundation of repeating patterns.Experiencing musical patterns, either by hearing or creating them, helps small children and people of all ages enhance the pattern repetition and anticipation skills required for learning a language.It's helpful for small children to have consistent rhythm and repetition through rhyme.A series of repeating parts make up music.The smaller pieces are easier for small children to comprehend.
Step 11: Music and activities should be coordinated.
Different types of music affect our moods, focus, energy levels, and emotional state.Music can be used in language learning for small children.Classical or instrumental music can be used to increase calm and focus.Music can be used with other learning activities.The best-known example for small kids is the ABC Song, which increases recall abilities.
Step 12: Together, sing, listen, and learn.
The social, interactive experience of listening to or singing with a parent or loved one is more important to a small child than the music presented in isolation.Social interaction enhances language development because it is designed for communication with other people.Experience and enjoy music with your child, and they will derive a host of different benefits.Sharing the experience of music with a baby or small child will support and enhance the range of skills required for language development.