Walking, talking, and thriving: why music matters so much in child development

For parents of 18–36 month-olds

The second year of life is magical. In a matter of months, babies go from wobbling their first steps to proudly striding across a room; from babbling streams of sounds to pronouncing their first words. These milestones, walking and talking, are more than charming family memories. They are signs of rapid brain growth, physical coordination, and social awareness. And at the heart of this transformation is music. 

Science shows that movement, language, and music are inseparable in early childhood. When a baby bounces to a rhythm, claps to a beat, or babbles in musical patterns, they are not simply playing. They are strengthening essential systems in their bodies and brains. One of the most important of these is the vestibular system, located in the inner ear. This “control tower” gives a child balance, spatial orientation, and the ability to keep their eyes steady while moving; skills that underpin not only walking and dancing, but also future reading and writing. A healthy vestibular system means confidence, focus, and coordination. 

When children are given opportunities to move and groove, their development flourishes. Research shows that insufficient vestibular stimulation can lead to difficulties in concentration, balance, or even reading. Yet the solution is joyful and simple: movement and music, woven into daily life. Countries that emphasize free, outdoor play, like Denmark with its forest kindergartens, see far fewer learning difficulties because children’s vestibular systems are fully engaged. 

Language, too, blossoms through music. Before their first words, babies babble in rhythmic, melodic patterns that sound more like song than speech. This is not random noise, it is practice, a kind of “phoneme symphony” where children experiment with the building blocks of language. Neuroscientists like Dr. Aniruddh Patel and Dr. Patricia Kuhl have demonstrated that sensitivity to rhythm and phonemes in infancy directly predicts stronger language skills later. And crucially, babies only develop these skills through human interaction, not from screens or passive listening.

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The Science in a Snapshot for child development

• Movement + Music + Language = Powerful Trio. When a baby bounces, claps, or sways to a beat, they’re strengthening body and brain together. 

• Vestibular System (inner ear). This “control tower” builds balance, spatial orientation, and steady gaze—the foundations for walking, running, reading, and writing later on. 

• Proprioception. Through playful movement, children learn where their body is in space, gaining coordination and confidence. 

• Babble as a “Phoneme Symphony.” Rhythmic, melodic babbling is practice for speech—finetuning the muscles and the ear for language. 

• Human Interaction > Screens. Babies learn language and rhythm through live, shared experiences, not passive listening.

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This is where Piccolino and Babymusicking come in. Designed precisely for children aged one to twoand a half, both programs this vital window of development. Through carefully guided music and movement experiences, babies strengthen their balance, coordination, and social skills, while also fine-tuning the rhythms of speech. 

Forget the myths of passive exposure—the so-called “Mozart Effect” was long ago debunked. What matters is active, shared music-making. Singing, clapping, stomping, and moving with your child provide the exact ingredients science says are needed for strong language, literacy, and confidence. And that is exactly what Piccolino and Babymusicking offer: a space where music, movement, and language and creativity come alive in partnership between children, parents, and expert educators. 

Why it matters now

Your child’s second year is not just another stage, it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build the foundations for lifelong learning, well-being, and joy. With Piccolino and Babymusicking, you are not only giving your child music, you are also giving them the foundations for confident and creative learning throughout their lives. 

Come dance, sing, and grow with us. Our school is where walking and talking meet music, and where your child’s journey truly takes flight.