Will Classical Music Really Help Your Newborn’s Development?

Many people claim that playing your child music in their infancy or when they are in utero will help develop your child’s cognitive skills. This is called the Mozart Effect and has been used by many people in infant care. The actual influence on a child’s development because of the use of playing classical music in utero is debatable.

A fetus develops the ability to hear at around five months into the pregnancy. This is when people claim that this is when you can benefit your child by beginning to play them classical music. While there has not been any medical evidence that listening to classical music or especially Mozart actually improves the intellectual development, there is evidence that, if exposed to it enough, babies will recognize the music after they are born and often be more calmed by it. In infant care, this can be very beneficial in and of itself.

Music composed by Mozart, especially his sonata, is very mathematical in nature and has distinct complex patterns which have been proven to stimulate the brain of adults while they are listening and at times for a short period afterwards, which is why some people will listen to Mozart while studying or working. However, the effects of this are acute and do not last long. Therefore it is unlikely that a baby would gain any long term benefit in cognition or mental development because of the music.

There are still, however, many benefits to listening to Mozart while pregnant and playing music for your children while they sleep which can be used in baby care to help children. First is the relaxation and calmness which is inspired by the music. The benefits for children, of a relaxed environment are astounding and will help to get them to sleep better and stay asleep more calmly and longer. The benefit of creating good sleeping habits in a child and helping them get enough sleep do end up helping cognition and development. So, in that way, Mozart, by facilitating sleeping and a healthy sleep pattern, does help cognition. It is also helpful for women when they are pregnant to listen to Mozart because they will get much of the same relaxing benefits of the music and being relaxed in your pregnancy is one of the most important keys to a healthy, happy pregnancy.

Finally, by playing your child Mozart very young, you are exposing them to classical music which they will then recognize for the rest of their life. Classical music is not always enjoyed or listened to by young children or teens and by developing that habit in them you could be opening the door to later culture. Part of baby care is giving them the basics to be well rounded people and by introducing them to Mozart at a very young age, you are preparing them to be cultured, artistic, and well rounded and have an appreciation for classical music and fine art.