t is often said that music is a universal language that transcends cultures and generations. For young children, its benefits extend far beyond our imagination. Engaging with music can have profound and multifaceted effects on a child’s development, laying a foundation for cognitive, emotional, social, and physical growth. Personally, music is intertwined with so many of my favorite childhood memories. It is hard for me to pinpoint when my love for music began. Maybe that’s why I am such a fan of introducing music at a young age!

Singing songs, listening to music, and learning lyrics enhances vocabulary, pronunciation, and understanding of language structures. Rhyming and rhythmic patterns in music reinforce phonemic awareness, a crucial skill for reading. I can still remember singing “M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E, Mickey Mouse.” I bet you have some memories of singing and rhyming from your own childhood. Since music often involves patterns, sequences, and counting—mirroring mathematical concepts—it helps children develop a better understanding of numbers and patterns. Learning melodies and lyrics boosts memory and concentration skills. Children who regularly engage with music often show improved attention spans and the ability to recall information. Even today, if I am trying to memorize something, I often make a song out of it, and it helps me remember.

Through music, children can express feelings and emotions that might be difficult to articulate with words. I remember finding my son’s lyric journal when he was a young teenager; it was his safe place to express his deepest emotions, and I was so thankful he had a way to do that through music.

Playing an instrument or singing allows your children the opportunity to convey joy, sadness, excitement, or frustration in a healthy and creative way. Mastering a new song or musical skill can build self-esteem and confidence, and the process of learning and performing music provides a sense of achievement and pride.

Music also has the ability to soothe and calm. Hearing gentle melodies can help reduce stress and anxiety, promoting relaxation and emotional balance. If you have children who are easily over-stimulated, gentle music may be one of your most powerful tools in helping them.

Taking part in group music activities teaches children how to work collaboratively. They learn to listen to others, share responsibilities, and harmonize their efforts toward a common goal. Group music activities, such as band or dance, facilitates social interactions and friendships. Shared musical experiences create bonding opportunities and enhance social skills, such as empathy and communication.

Exposure to music from different cultures broadens a child’s understanding and appreciation of diversity. It fosters a sense of global connectedness and respect for different traditions. A more natural approach to teaching geography will include arts and culture, and music is a fun way to do that!

Playing instruments, dancing, or even clapping to a rhythm involves fine and gross motor skills. These activities improve hand-eye coordination, dexterity, and physical coordination. Dancing to music helps children develop balance and spatial awareness. Rhythmic activities also improve timing and bodily control, which are essential for various physical tasks. This can start when your child is just a baby, banging on pots and pans.

Since creativity flourishes in a musical environment, start the day off with some type of music! This could mean having a good morning song you sing before breakfast or just playing some music in the background as you eat and prepare for the day. Consider choosing music that will help you set the tone for the day. Sometimes softer music is better in the morning to give everyone a chance to wake up and get going. However, if I’m being honest, we usually had dance music going on most of the time in our home.

One of my favorite ways to incorporate music when my children were little was to use songs to teach them simple tasks. I am sure we have all heard of the clean up song, but these were a little different. When I was teaching a child to pump their legs on the swing, I would sing, “out and under, out and under,” and watch their feet follow the song. When I was teaching them to swim, I would sing to the same tune, “scoop and paddle, scoop and paddle”. Simple little tunes that gave instruction and were easy to remember. It worked like a charm, and my kids still remember singing those instructional tunes.

Whether through structured lessons, informal play, or family sing-alongs, music enriches children’s experiences and growth in countless ways. Don’t skip this important piece of childhood. Embracing the joy of music not only enhances learning but also fosters a lifelong appreciation for the arts. The benefits of music for young children are extensive and impactful, so start today and integrate music into your daily life!

athy Eggers is the award winning author of The Homegrown Preschooler, A Year of Playing Skillfully and more. She has been dedicated to the well-being of children and their families for over 25 years. As a former teacher and administrator, Kathy has extensive experience in the field of early childhood education and is a child development specialist. Kathy is a homeschooling mom to 8, a bonus mom to 2, and Nana to 6.

Kathy enjoys sharing her journey of imperfect motherhood, inspiring others to parent intentionally and authentically. Kathy‘s journey has equipped her to share a range of life experiences, such as the power of play, connecting with people of all ages & stages, and parenting through difficult seasons. If you enjoy Kathy’s articles, check out her podcast, Play Skillfully and follow her on social media at PlaySkillfullywithKathyEggers.