Is one type of music best for my toddler?
Let your child listen to whatever he likes, says Pratt. Try out your favorites, or classical music (the old standby), or spice things up with Brazilian or African tunes. Anything with a good melody will do, although slow songs may work best for bedtime and fast ones for play. In the morning, play classical music (choose something pleasant and happy, such as a tinkly piano concerto from Chopin or Vivaldi's "The Four Seasons") so he'll wake up in a light and upbeat mood.
Older kids may also enjoy a song that has a narrative they can follow, such as "There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly," or "Miss Mary Mack." Encourage your toddler or preschooler to move to the music and express his emotions..
When it comes to playing tunes for your kids, think cheerful and simple. You may want to stay away from head-banging rock, grunge music, or rap. Animal studies show that constant exposure to chaotic, discordant music alters the brain's structure, says Pratt. Even plants seem to abhor this type of music, she argues. Ivy growing on a home where classical music was played all day long flourished better than that on houses where occupants blasted hard rock.
Your musical selections don't have to be recorded ones, either. Break out into song once in a while. Tongue-twisting tunes, such as "The Name Game" ("Nina, Nina, bo-bina, banana, fana, fofina, mee-mi-momina, Nina) are fun. Learn entire ditties as a family, and sing them on car trips or on gloomy days when you're stuck at home. (babycenter.com)
