Rockin' out in the cradle

Getting your baby to sleep with a lullaby or twirling around to a pop song are more than just fun ways to entertain him.  Music plays a key part in your baby's development.  Laura Kalehoff, Executive Editor for American Baby, offers some tips on how to rock the cradle. 

First, mix music with movement.  Long before your baby can clap or dance, he learns about music by moving in time with tunes while in your arms.  When you mix music with movement, it helps wire a baby's brain to integrate the senses, connecting perception and action.  You can just sway your baby to the beat of a song or bounce him up and down on your knee to jingles you watch on TV.

And just because she's a baby, doesn't mean the only music you listen to are lullabies.  Lose the nursery rhymes and introduce her to your favorite songs, whether it's classical or rock.  You'd be surprised, your baby might be better at recognizing complex rhythms than you are. 

Don't be afraid to also start introducing musical instruments to your baby.  A recent study actually compared the impact of playing instruments versus just listening to music on 6-month-olds.  The babies that physically played instruments showed earlier and larger brain response to sound and a greater knowledge of musical scale structure. 

And finally, play games while your are listening to music.  Playing pat-a-cake or shaking a rattle to the beat are a great way to merge making sounds and listening.