Music and Your Child

Community Education

Music and Your Child

Music can be used to tell a story, communicate

feelings, inspire movement and create chances to

connect and interact. Throughout history, music

has been used in times of celebration, mourning

and religious gatherings. Research shows that

when listening to music, and especially playing

music, many areas of the brain are activated. This

is how music can support motor, language and

cognitive development. Music can also decrease

pain and distress while increasing coping skills

and creative expression. Here are some tips to

engage your child in music.

Babies

? Smile, look into your baby¡¯s eyes and sing.

? Play music for only 15 minutes at a time and

take long breaks.

? Gently play an instrument in front of your

child and encourage them to follow it with

their eyes and reach for it with their hands.

? Allow some time to quietly watch how your

baby responds when you use music with them.

Toddlers

? Sing familiar songs they like or use recorded

music to ease transitions such as nap, bath,

bedtime and outings.

? Sing songs with hand motions like the Itsy

Bitsy Spider and The Wheels on the Bus.

? Use songs like Head, Shoulders, Knees and

Toes to help your child learn body parts.

? Encourage your child to clap and dance along

to music.

? Pause your singing so your child can finish a

line in a song. This encourages memory skills

and interaction.



? Sing a song to comfort and redirect your child

when they are upset. It can help parents too,

during stressful times.

Preschoolers

? Sing the ABC song to help your child learn to

say letters.

? Practice listening when you go different

places and play a ¡°What sounds can you

hear?¡± game.

? Use music to help your child understand

concepts like up and down, loud and soft,

and start and stop. Try moving a scarf up and

down to model movement of a melody.

School Age

? Listen to different kinds of music.

? If your child shows an interest in an

instrument, they may be ready for formal

lessons.

? Find music that your child enjoys and

encourage them to play this music when they

are dealing with tough emotions.

? Attend music performances and talk about

the music afterward.

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Teens

? Show interest in the music your teen likes.

? Ask your teen to describe what they like about

their favorite music.

? Ask your teen about any triggers or intense

subjects in music that may cause emotional

reactions. Discuss your family¡¯s rules around

music and music videos, covering topics like

curse words and explicit content.

? Be patient as they listen to different types of

music. They are exploring and developing

their identity.

? Think about using music as an opportunity for

more communication with your teen.

There is so much music available. Discovering

music together can be lots of fun. Use your

library, YouTube, or music websites as resources

to explore and ¡°try out¡± different kinds of music.

However you decide to enjoy music, trust your

own ears and have fun making and listening to

music with your child.

To Learn More

? clinics/child-life

Seattle Children¡¯s will make this information available in alternate formats upon request. Call Marketing

Communications at 206-987-5323.

This handout has been reviewed by clinical staff at Seattle Children¡¯s. However, your child¡¯s needs are unique.

Before you act or rely upon this information, please talk with your child¡¯s healthcare provider.

? 2008, 2012, 2017, 2022 Seattle Children¡¯s Hospital, Seattle, Washington. All rights reserved.

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