It is a well-established fact that music plays a huge role in the optimum development of children especially in terms of their cognitive, social, and emotional progress. However, there are some parents who don’t think that musical toys are important for babies for the simple fact that their sensory and motor skills are not yet fully developed. On the contrary, it is for this exact reason that musical toys are especially beneficial for infants. Here are some of the more important benefits of musical toys for babies.

4 Benefits of Musical Toys for Babies

Lays the Foundation for Optimum Brain Development

Science has already revealed that music ingeniously activates various parts of the human brain. This is particularly significant in babies as their brain is still relatively new, with relatively few pieces of information stored in each brain structure. Music stimulates the more efficient generation and transmission of electrical impulses through neurons and across synapses. These electrical signals or messages stimulate target organs and other regions in the brain, technically priming them for the complex cognitive processes that follow. It is believed, and is now generally accepted, that music helps lay the foundation for optimum brain development which is essentially one of the most important developmental milestones of infants. This helps babies to be particularly ready for school and the many accompanying cognitive processes.

Facilitates the Development of Language

Long before your baby starts to mutter incomprehensible words, he or she would already have stored in his or her brain a few to several words from your interactions. It is virtually impossible for you to constantly talk to your infant every time he or she is awake just to provide his or her brain with the right tools to build your kid’s vocabulary and language. By using musical toys, babies are exposed to a lot of words contained in the lyrics which, at first, may mean nothing to them, but eventually forms the foundation of their language development as they grow older. Some of the very first words they might verbalize can actually come from the lyrics of songs they listen to from their musical toys.

Aids in the Development of Motor Skills

Young infants do not have purposeful movements yet. However, by giving them something to bang, press, and even hold, they eventually learn to control these movements over time. Research has shown that infants can readily recognize a tune or a melody from a particular song even before they start understanding what those lyrics mean. Because of familiarity to the melody, they tend to follow the rhythm by swaying their bodies, swinging their arms, or even stomping their feet. For us these may look nothing more than just random movements. Experts say, however, that these are a baby’s way of exploring his or her capabilities. It gives young children the opportunity to develop their muscles, establish control over these, and learn to purposefully move them with ease. Sooner or later, babies will be able to develop finger dexterity, establish coordination and balance, and start harnessing their spatial awareness.

Fosters Trust in Primary Caregivers

When infants play with musical toys, or any other toy for that matter, they relish the fact that they are accompanied by the most precious “thing” in their lives at the moment – you. Allowing them to play with musical toys while holding them fosters trust and gives them a sense of security. Seeing you smile every time they push a button to play music makes them grow in confidence in their own capabilities.

The benefits of musical toys for babies are numerous. What is important to understand is that music activates many areas in the infant brain which can then jumpstart all other aspects of childhood growth and development. For some creative ideas on awesome products, visit My Kid Needs That, who have done a fantastic round up of the best musical baby toys at the moment.