Exposure to music accelerates brain function

On ABC KIDS listen audiences will hear a large variety of music for kids.  Our listeners are encouraged to sing, dance and move along to the musical playlists.  

The importance of music and dance for the development of little ones should not be under estimated. Music and dance is a form of communication which author Ruth Leon argues is intrinsic to all small children.  She writes in her book The Sound of Musicals 

“Everybody sings, the first sounds made by a human baby more closely resemble music than speech. A toddler will sing before he (she) speaks.  He hears music before he recognises words.  Dancing is natural.  Without volition, the body moves to musical stimulus.  Hear a rhythm, sway or stamp or jiggle.” 
 
So, what are the benefits of these natural inclinations to sing, move and jiggle?  

1. 1.Cognitive benefits  
   A recent two-year study by researchers at the Brain and Creativity Institute (BCI)  shows that “exposure to music and music instruction accelerates the brain development of young children in the areas responsible for language development, sound, reading skill and speech perception.” 
2. 2.Physical benefits  
   Encouraging kids to develop rhythm, move to the beat and get active. Allowing pre-schoolers to listen to music helps them to develop rhythm and to move to the beat. Our Shake and Move program is specially designed to encourage children to dance and move to the music.  
3. 3.Mood enhancer  
   Music can compliment or change a child’s mood. Music works as a mood filter.  It can be used to cheer, calm or soothe.  Music can also be used to delineate different times of the day – see how our program schedule fits into the flow of your child’s day; encouraging active play, slowing them down for quiet time or lulling them off to sleep.  
4. 4.

   Communication tool 
   Music and dance helps pre-schoolers develop their language and movement skills.  Pre-schoolers learn about meaning, story and emotion through dance and music.  Encourage your little ones to participate the daily Sing Along program 8-9am week days and 9-10am on weekends.
   
   Want to start dancing right now? Move along to this great Wiggles video from our 2013 archives.
   

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   Music education delivers on 5 outcomes from The Early Years Learning Framework which is the national standard for pre-school education and the basis for the programming on ABC KIDS listen.   Music education is a major contributing factor to the development of pre-schoolers, as shown by the number of the EYLF outcomes it addresses:  
    
   1: Children have a strong sense of identity 
   2: Children are connected and contribute to the world 
   3: Children have a strong sense of wellbeing 
   4: Children are confident learners 
   5: Children are effective communicators 
      
   We hope to encourage all ABC KIDS listeners, big or small, to sing out and jiggle about.  It’s fun and really good for you!