Music can have a powerful and the most delightful effect on people. It creates a special atmosphere and affects mood. Music has the power to soothe you, to stir you, or just make you want to get up and dance. Dutch researchers found that not only can late-term fetuses “hear” sounds, but they can actually “learn.” The researchers exposed the fetus to a noise, and then used ultrasound to see how it reacted. They found the fetus reacted to the sound more quickly each time it heard it.
Children exposed to classical music in the womb show a positive change in physical and mental development after birth. In this experiment, fetuses were exposed to 70 hours of classical music during the last weeks of pregnancy. When studied at six months, these babies were more advanced in terms of motor, linguistic and intellectual development than babies who received no musical stimulus during pregnancy. Recent studies show that music affects the brain in various ways and can actually improve many abilities, both in children and in adults. Much research has been done on the effect of music on the physical, emotional, and intellectual development of babies and children.
Importance of Music for children
Music contributes to the recovery of premature babies. A Florida study of 52 newborn babies with a low birth weight demonstrated that playing music to them contributed to a rapid increase in their weight, and shortened their stay in the hospital by an average of five days (as compared to a group of similar babies which were not exposed to any musical stimulus).
Music can alter blood pressure. By playing recordings of pleasing music every morning and evening, people with high blood pressure can train themselves to lower their blood pressure – and keep it low.
The brain creates natural relaxants, called endorphins, which can reduce pain and promote a feeling of natural well being. Researchers at the Addiction Research Center in Stanford, California have found that listening to music enables the body to create these substances, thus improving mood. Music and sound can boost immune function. Scientists explain that a particular type of music can create a positive and profound emotional experience, which leads to secretion of immune-boosting hormones. This helps contribute to a reduction in the factors responsible for illness.
