Musical Intelligence of your baby

Child May Be Good at:

 • Singing tunes on key

• Remembering songs just by their tune (without words)

• Making all kinds of sounds

How to Encourage:

 • Sing to child, play tapes and CDs

• Encourage your child to sing and make up songs to remember other things (like ABC song)

• Help them to learn to play the piano, or an instrument

• Find schools that give music lessons (singing, band, orchestra)

Birth to 6 Months

Young babies like songs and rhymes. Rhyming words help him remember what comes next. The sound and rhythm of language help him learn to talk. Moving to a rhythm helps your baby learn to move his body.

Dance with your baby. Play music or sing. Young babies like to be held close for slow dancing. Older babies like music with a faster beat. Visit the library. Ask the librarian for books with songs and rhymes for your baby. Your baby can look at the pictures while you read. Shake a rattle while you sing or say a rhyme. Say your baby's name and shake a rattle for each syllable.  

6 Months to 15 Months

Music helps babies learn to talk. If you sing a lot your baby will learn from you. Songs and rhymes help babies remember. Soon you will hear your baby sing or chant parts of the songs you teach her.

Hand rhymes such as Itsy, Bitsy Spider, Pat-A-Cake, and This Little Piggy are good for this age. Your baby doesn't need to understand every word. Rhymes teach her that language is fun to play with. Ask your librarian for hand rhyme books.

15 Months to 2 Years

Toddlers who have heard lots of songs can make single tones and copy parts of familiar songs

Sing to and with your child. Your child won't care if you can't carry a tune. Songs and rhymes will keep your toddler happy when you ride the bus, wait in line at the store, sit at the doctor's office. Books with rhymes and patterns help children learn pre-reading skills.

At 2 Years

Two year olds who have heard lots of songs can start to "sing" parts of familiar songs. They can make their own music with simple instruments.

Repeat the same songs and rhymes over and over. This will help your child learn more words and remember them. Make homemade "instruments." Put rocks, dry beans, or buttons inside film containers to make shakers (Tape the lids).

At 3 Years

Three year olds really enjoy music and singing. They can carry simple tunes and remember words.

Sing one of your child's favorite songs, leaving out a word. Example: "Baa, baa black sheep, have you any _____?" Have you child fill in the word.

At 4 Years

Four year olds like to sing and play with rhythm instruments. Dancing and moving to music is fun for them.

Help your child make "instruments." Use oatmeal boxes for drums. Empty Kleenex boxes strung with rubber bands make guitars. Dried beans taped inside paper plates make shakers.

At 5 Years

Five year olds like all kinds of singing and dancing. They can learn the words and rhythms to songs.

Take turns making "musical patterns" with your child. Clap hands, snap fingers, slap thighs, and stomp your feet.