The article by journalist Jessica Berthereau for the French newspaper "Les Echos" investigates the importance of musical education for babies and infants, and features Joan Koenig's book "The Musical Child" (Harper Collins).
Many scientific studies have proven that babies are receptive to music from birth and even before in the womb. In this recent article, our founder Joan Koenig discusses the benefits of music education from an early age.
Many of us talk to babies in a way that is instinctively musical: that is, we vary our pitch and use language that is lilting, rhythmic, and repetitive. This way of speaking is known as “motherese” or “parentese”, and it is proven to retain an infant’s attention far more than regular speech. What’s more, it contributes to language development and secure attachment, and consequently to the realization of important developmental milestones.
Due to its direct link with language, music can be a vital tool for helping children learn and grow in all subjects. We now know that the body is not separate from the brain, and music reinforces memory in a deeper and more permanent way than other types of learning – by rote, for example.
At our bilingual preschool and music school, we introduce music to babies as young as six months. Our “Babymusicking” classes are specifically designed to engage all learning centers in the brain and incorporate the whole body.
> Find out about our Babymusicking classes.
> Order your copy of “The Musical Child” (Harper Collins) here.
Image Credit / Newspaper Les Echos logo / Alice Des Illustration for Les Echos Week-end