The Music is Gonna Get You!

Categories: Children's Books

It’s become a silly tag line at our house of late, but eerily accurate. The twins adore listening to CD’s and doing wiggly moves that must be the baby equivalent of dancing. I know I’m biased and all, but it’s seriously cute.

Researchers tell us the auditory system forms extremely early and the ear is actually the first sensory organ to develop brain connections. And from those first weeks in the womb an infant's ability to process sound and music only grows stronger. Researchers think the complexity of classical music is what primes the brain to solve spatial problems more quickly.

And a trip through the baby aisle at the retailer of your choice confirms baby gear manufacturers are up on the latest research. It’s nearly impossible to purchase a baby device that doesn’t play Beethoven, Vivaldi, and Bach.

But, this doesn't mean that other types of music aren't good. Listening to any kind of music helps build music-related pathways in the brain. And music can have positive effects on our moods that may make learning easier.

We’ve discovered the library’s music collection has a lot of great choices. Below are some of our household favorites.

Please don’t ask me to explain it, but my children love Burt Bacharach. Greatest Hits has been a huge hit. 

They are also big fans of Coldplay’s Viva la vida: or Death and all his friends.  

Andy Hurwitz has a great series of jazz items for babies. Most of the books come with CD’s. 

And, of course, we have sampled more traditional kid favorites from The Wiggles, Laurie Berkner Band, and Zak Morgan.