Mozart Effect? Perhaps Not so Much...
Psychologist Christopher Chabris decided to study all these studies and said of the phenomenon, "It takes away from other kinds of interaction that might be beneficial for children, such as playing with them and keeping them engaged via social activity. That is the key to a truly intelligent child, not the symphonies of a long-dead Austrian composer."
I have to agree. Don't get me wrong, I know that music is a positive addition to anyone's life and is certainly stimulating for children, but I'd rather not have it going nonstop in the background and as bad as my singing is, my son always enjoyed it more than any CD. I also take issue with this myth that all the music you play for your kids has to be classical to be of any benefit. I think my kid has always responded more positively to the Beatles or even the Beastles (a mash-up of the Beatles and the Beastie Boys.) Do you always play classical tunes or even children's music with your children, or do you expose them to your own musical tastes?
Comments
My daughter LOVED ‘THE DOORS’ when in-utero only thing that allowed mom sleep the last month. But she will listen to and enjoy almost any kind of music. Somedays it’s rock, others it’s kids music, and still others it can be classical. It is ALL good! Variety is best for us.
I’m a fan of all music, classical included - what I play is based on my mood. In utero, babe loved Talking Heads and Mozart. Now she bops her little head to whatever music she hears.
My child loves any music, I think sticking your child in front of a DVD that has classical music on is just to make parents feel better about pawning their children off on the TV. Playing with your children is much more important.
My daughter started day 1 with classical and Irish folk for her daughter…and, baby (and mom!) slept through the night before six weeks. When baby was able to sit up, we placed her at our organ daily, and now, at one year, she pushes and pulls the stops as her little hands go all over the keys making her own music. It certainly can’t hurt a child, so why not try it, and who knows, a great composer might come from it! j.t.
We did 1812 for diaper changes.. but just to give me something to move legs to (yes I changed a lot.. I’m a fulltime SAHD)
I have a degree in psychology.. and studied how these studies are done.. it’s amazing how people jump on these bandwagons. The anxiety of a parent who thinks they aren’t doing the right thing is worse than any benefit of decomposing composers.
Play with your kid.. treat them like.. wait for it.. treat them like a person. And remember that almost everything doesn’t matter.
My rule for the car: if Mommy’s driving, we listen to Mommy’s music — and so far, my toddler loves it! I’m into a lot of indie rock and indie pop, and though I appreciate the classics, I admit that I don’t really listen to them in the car or around the house. My kid’s pretty darn smart minus the Mozart, if I do say so myself. Besides, how’s he going to learn to sing if I don’t expose him to music with words?
I think nearly anything that keeps both the parents and the kids happy can contribute to a positive learning experience, regardless of how “cultured” it is.
I’ve been exposing my son to a variety of music since I got pregnant. In utero, I played everything from Bach to Tool and played Bon jovi during birth and he likes it all, more partial to the heavier hard rock when he’s active and enjoys Rod Stewart or Elton John for falling asleep.
My son kicked and squirmed to The Doors in-utero. Like many of the parents who have posted, I’ve exposed my now 5 month old to all kinds of music (sans GANSTER RAP!) He enjoys everything from Bach to Pink Floyd. Basically, he enjoys what Mommy listens to!!