Music and development of right and left brain in babies

Music and development of right and left brain in babies
A baby is born and their brain is now ready to form and develop.
The most development time is up to year 3 but the most growth, about 90% is up to year one. So from birth to year one it is very important to have as many happy memory as possible to develop that self-esteem from the beginning.
Music has been connected to the increase of forming of certain neurons with a positive conseguence of developing the baby and children brain faster and higher that they would if they did not hear music or play music. Each baby develops at different times so not all will do things at the same time as others. So do not worry if your baby is not playing an instrument by the age of 4 or is a genious, as each baby is own individual being with different ability and skills and they are all valid and worth in our world!
Now scientists call the sensitive period, where there is a limited period in the development when the effects of experiences on the brain are usually strong. At this time the neural circuits is laid down (such as the foundation of a house) regarding certain parts of our human brain. At this time things are quite easy to change and move around, once that is passed than things are harder to change or move. For example the second language proficiency would be more efficient by children who have been exposed to it by the age of 11 to 13, as puberty is thought to be the end of a sensitive period (Miendlarzewska). Scientist also call another period of neurological period “the critical period”, which runs from birth to age 3 and 4. At this time sensory neurons are the one that are important to stimulate the formation of the baby sensory neurons.
The visual sensory are formed within few months of life (myelination time). That is why is important for breast fed and non-breast baby to have the essential oil either in fish once a week for the mother or dha or good supplement for the essential oil, vegetarian or not. This is when the baby will form myelination and neurons which are made with the essential fatty acids and non-essential fatty acid, including normal fat. That is one of the reasons that babies till the age of two needs full fat products or good fats. The auditory myelination and development keeps growing till the age of 4. And up to age of 5 any auditory stimulation seems to also stimulates the rest of the brain and brain development (Miendlarzewska).
Babies respond to music at a very early time as their sensory is wide open to all the noises and energy around them. They would understand any language that is spoken to them. Their early communication is cooing and obviously crying which can be at a different pitch according to their needs. Music is received in the right hemisphere of the brain, which is the side that is responsible for melody recognition, language comprehension, rhythm, spatial orientation and picture recognition (Blythe). Nursery rhymes, songs, and movement to music can be used for the first 5 years of life to develop other skill as well.
Music training also seems to have a positive effect on developing the left hemisphere ability such as sound discrimination, timing, numeric skills, and expressive language (Blythe). Music can also increase the ability of reading age and recognition of letter and sounds. Listening to music before birth and after as well as music training and singing seems to be connected to an increase and improvement in reading and writing and the ability to remember their words better.
There are also research regarding music in babies and mental and emotional relaxation, which it means more sleep and therefore a calmer approach to life. Music is also important for mothers. Mothers sensitivity is enhanced by having the baby. Every little movement of the baby will be felt by the mother, therefore a good relaxing music also will reduce the high intensity and worry of first time mothers and therefore have a more peaceful sleep. Mothers are more able get a good sleep in short burst of time till the baby sleeps through the night, which is some cases takes about 3 to 6 months.
In a nutshell having music on or even reading a book to babies will enhance their brain development and their sensory skill for later in life. Not all music will have the same effect, listening to rock and roll or very scatty music might increase the irritation of the mother or baby. Classical music seems to be the best or any relaxing meditative music. For babies any baby music will do. Worth a try!

Reference:

S.G.Blythe (2004). The well balanced child. Hawthorn Press. Uk

Miendlarzewska E.A. and Trost W. J. (2014) How musical training affects cognitive development: rhythm, reward and other modulating variables. Frontiers in Neuroscience.