Did you know that music can make you and your baby smarter and happier?

We’ve always known that music has a powerful, transformative and unifying effect on people. But only now do we know that music contributes to better memory and cognitive skills. This is because listening to, and playing music, produce changes in the brain. Also, both activities can release a healthy dose of endorphins, the so-called ‘happiness hormone.’ So what happens when your baby listens to music?

1. After babies listen to music, their auditory and prefrontal cortexes look different. These are the regions of the brains in charge of processing both music and speech.

2. The positive effects of listening to music have been seen to extend to personality traits, like being helpful and cooperative.

3. Music stimulates the formation of brain chemicals such as dopamine and oxytocin. When these are released, young babies are encouraged to trust others.

4. Music helps shape your infant's social skills, speech and ability to regulate their emotions. Music can help reduce stress, calming your baby.

Next time you turn on your favorite song, have your little one join in and start enjoying music together!