Guest post: Babies face the music and reap the benefits

But the benefits of music aren’t just for those who are pregnant, even after birth your child can rapidly develop a number of skills via the aid of song and movement. Exposing a baby or young child to music and nursery rhymes at an early age will help to:

• develop language, numeracy, concentration & listening skills
• develop self-confidence & independence
• develop physical co-ordination
• develop social skills
• develop intellectual & emotional intelligence

Of course, when it comes to music we now live in a very ‘digital age’ – but for this exercise, forget CDs and iPods – the best way to expose your unborn baby or child to music is to actually sing to them or with them yourself. Using the power of your own vocals to comfort and stimulate your child’s hearing will do wonders. There is nothing Babies love more than the sound of their mother’s voice and it doesn’t matter if you sing out of tune, or you mess up the words – it’s not important, your child won’t mind! Just keep smiling and encouraging them to join in and you’re onto a winner.

The beauty of enjoying music with your child is there is no right or wrong. No one will judge you and it should be fun (not a chore). Traditional nursery rhymes are really important when singing with a young child as they use repetition and actions to inspire coordination, balance and speech development; but if you fancy a change (particularly when pregnant), try choosing songs that make you feel on top of the world, songs that inspire happy memories, make you smile or simply those you love to bop along to. If you are feeling good, your baby will benefit from these feelings too.

Probably the greatest tip for pregnant mums-to-be is to record yourself singing your favourite tunes – then when you are shattered at the end of the day or you simply don’t feel like singing you can play the recording instead (this is great to use when baby comes along too – the perfect soothing remedy for your little one).

About Jo Jingles

Jo Jingles provides music, singing and movement experience classes for babies and pre-school children from three months to five years of age. With nationwide sessions in more than 700 centres across the UK and Ireland and with over 90 franchisees, Jo Jingles offers well-established, structured classes that are fun, interactive and educational for little ones.

Launched in 1991, Jo Jingles continues to promote learning through music across many of the UK’s nurseries, Sure Start Children’s Centres, playgroups and mother & toddler groups. Jo Jingles Birthday parties and celebrations are also available to book and a range of musical-themed merchandise including toys, CDs and musical instruments can be purchased online at www.jojingles.com.