Your baby's growth and development in the womb is a remarkable experience. At the
beginning of your second month of pregnancy, your little one's eyes, nose and ears
are clearly visible via ultrasound, and by the fifth month, your baby's hearing
has fully developed. His newfound ability to recognize you and other familiar voices
in the environment around him is quickly established.
Prenatal stimulation through music heard regularly while in the womb might provide
some babies with a sense of confidence and relaxation after they're born. You and
your baby also will quickly discover an excellent way to bond and share in the emotional
and potential intellectual development benefits this method may bring.
The ABCs of Prenatal Music Stimulation
Prenatal stimulation is a method that uses stimuli such as sounds (mother's voice
and musical ones), movement, pressure, vibrations and light to communicate with
a developing baby prior to birth. While in the womb, Baby learns to recognize and
respond to different stimuli, which leads to encouragement of physical, mental and
sensory development. Stimulation exercises will allow Baby to communicate with you
and your spouse/partner through her movement in the womb, establish a relationship
between specific stimuli (such as your voices) and, most importantly, help develop
her memory.
Making the Right Music Choices for Baby
Does your baby move rhythmically with the strains of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony,
or do you find she kicks up a storm whenever a song by Madonna comes on the car
radio? With the right mix of sounds and repetition, Baby may enjoy a mix variety
of music.
Most pediatric specialists agree that almost any type of music is suitable for you
and Baby to enjoy. "Diversity of different kinds of music are essential and can
be useful for the baby's future writing, reading and language skills," says Dr.
Philip A. De Fina, associate professor at the New York University School of Medicine
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience and chief neuropsychologist
and director of neurotherapies at the NYU Brain Research Laboratories.
The Research
Recent scientific research into the effects of prenatal music stimulation varies
greatly. Several early childhood researchers believe there is no direct concrete
evidence that supports the theory that music stimulation prior to birth means a
child has a higher intelligence in her future. Other specialists maintain just the
opposite, arguing there are direct studies showing once they are born, babies have
the innate ability to recognize their mother's voices and may be further able to
respond to familiar music their family played for them while they were nestled in
the womb.
Accurate information has become available to researchers through the use of ultrasound,
in utero monitors and fiber optic television, which provide a fascinating look at
life developing inside the womb. Studies by two of the leading early childhood researchers,
Thomas R. Verny and Rene Van de Carr, have detailed that babies who have been stimulated
while in the womb exhibit advanced visual, auditory, language and motor development
skills. Verny and Van de Carr maintain these babies sleep better, are more alert
to their environment and surroundings and are far more content than infants who
did not receive any form of prenatal stimulation.
Too Much of a Good Thing?
Just like many things in life, Dr. De Fina believes prenatal music stimulation should
be practiced in moderation. "A perfect time to stimulate your baby would be when
you decide to take a nap or rest during the day," she says. Although over-stimulation
will not harm your baby physically, it can make Baby feel overwhelmed by the extra
attention and she may stop responding to your efforts.
Listen to your moods - if you're getting tired of hearing the same opera aria, chances
are Baby is feeling the same. This should be a special time of enjoyment and bonding
shared between you, your spouse/partner and Baby. Remember, it is not about the
amount of time, but the quality of the wonderful experience you are sharing together.
By Jennifer Lacey.This article is kindly provided by:
