My kids are almost 9 and 12 now. I wanted them to have many experiences as a baby and toddler that would stimulate their brains and help make them smarter. You know, that “window of opportunity”. Research has proven that exposure to music in the first years of life has a very positive effect on the brain. Here are a few ways to encourage stimulation through music.

1. Singing with sounds…not words. For instance, ba, ba, ba or do do do, bup bup bup…….sounds like these that a baby can imitate. Do them high, do them low.

2. Touching to the beat or rhythm of a song.

3. Smiling and moving while they watch you sing.

4. Using an instrument such as an egg shaker or bell. Drumming with a kitchen utensil.

5. Creative movement to the beat….swinging, crawling, jumping.

A highly-acclaimed music program for babies and todders originates in Atlanta, Georgia called “The Music Class”. www.themusicclass.com They have teachers who are qualified to teach early childhood music education all over the world, and the curriculum is superb. Sessions run for 8 to 10 weeks at a time, and the parent and child meet with other parents and children in a circle setting.

In this video watch Roy Sayer of  The Music Class with one of his classes. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=humOI4FzYrY