It has been a long held fact that singing and dancing benefits children’s development from a very young age up until they become adults. Even inside the womb, young mothers are encouraged to not just sing but put speakers and headphones against their bellies so the babies could hear. According to researchers, this helps build their brains and particularly targets parts where language, reading and math resides at. Whilst they are young, music helps them express their emotions. Ever see a child sway to just music? A melody calms and the words lets out its meaning. Singing to your young one strengthens the bond between parent and child. Whatever mood the child is in, singing calms, relaxes and soothes him. It helps regulate the child’s emotions and if done at night time, establishes a sleeping routine. Both emotional regulation and sleep contribute to a child’s good health.
Dancing, just like exercise is good as it lets the body move. This movement is no longer aimed towards physical fitness but more for expression. With the infusion of technology in our daily life, children should be encouraged more than ever to move more for their health. Too many kids are growing up lacking in social skills because they are content and used to looking at screens for education and entertainment. They are lacking in communication, interaction, almost no feeling of empathy and have no clue as to how to read people and their emotions. Some schools offer incursions and school activities such as dance to help these kids cope.
Musicality is part and parcel of a person’s life. From a mother’s heartbeat to the sound of rain to the cries and wailing of sadness. If left alone our feet would tap to a rhythm, our heads strain towards a melody. Songs make a declamation piece easier to memorise. A dance gives direction to movement. Both are known to reduce stress. It increases our chances to optimal health. Singing and dancing benefits children’s development through muscle memory and an emotional downloading when needed. The advantages of the early practice of managing emotions through singing and dancing can be beneficial up to the child’s puberty until adulthood.