Music and language development

Music is a versatile element both children and adults like.

We know that we can relax, cheer up, let off steam, etc, with music. But it is also a great help when developing different areas involved in language.

The influence of music at an early age

The repetitive nature of the sounds facilitates the memorization of time sequences. In the case of the songs, it allows to remember elements such as syllables, words and phrases.

Songs also allow the learning of new words. They contribute to the enrichment of vocabulary and therefore of the expression and comprehension. Articulation is also an area which benefits from this tool.

However, when we talk about music we do not only refer to melodies or songs that we can listen to on the radio. Speech itself is made up of musical patterns. In this case, the way we speak to babies is the best example.

From an early age, adults address babies by using different elements which call the attention of the little ones. These elements include: exaggerating melodies, lengthening vowels,raising the tone, rhythmic marking, repeating syllables, accentuating words or modifying the length of pauses.

In addition to capturing their attention, they also have the ability to regulate their emotional stateand the baby’s level of arousal. On the other hand, it also facilitates language acquisition.

However, it is not only language that benefits from music. It has a great influence on overall development at motor, affective and cognitive levels.

At Corps à l’aise we are specialists in speech therapy and we are here to help you achieve the full development of your child’s potential.