Young children love listening to music, and the
younger they are the broader their taste will be. At this age music
is an adventure. Learning to listen to and appreciate music is a
skill that can help your child's development.
It improves their listening skills and their concentration but sitting your child down formally ready to 'concentrate' on music will probably not help them develop this skill. A young child's concentration span can be very short and if they are enjoying a piece of music they may well express this the only way they know how at this age - through movement.
I'll play something in the house or the car, and my little boy gets fixated on certain songs and loves to hear them over and over again. He likes all kinds of things: pop, jazz, opera. Once he has his teeth into a tune he won't let go.
Mike Page, Parent
Top Tips
Try to listen to music that you both enjoy
Dancing together can add further element of fun to listening to music
Your child will have a broad appreciation of music so let them listen to pop, classical, rock or folk. Anything goes, experiment and see what they like. best.
Libraries are good source to try before you buy
See how different music has different effects on your child - not all children like the same styles
Remember not to play music too loud, your child's ears are a little more sensitive than yours
You don't need to be an expert in music to enjoy it and by playing different types of music to your child and you might make some discoveries yourself
Try and get as good a sound system as you can afford. Tiny ears are quite as discriminating as your own
Child-proof tape recorders can give a young child a sense of control over their listening
Every child is unique and develops at his or her own pace. The information in BBC Parents' Music Room is for information and guidance only and should not be treated as a substitute for medical, legal or other professional advice.
