|

10 Reasons Kids Seem to Learn the Words to Songs So Fast


Posted on October 27, 2012 by admin | in Nannies

There’s something astounding about the way that even very small children are able to learn the melody and lyrics to simple songs so quickly. From the time kids first begin to grasp their native language, they seem to be most fluent when learning and parroting the songs they hear; here are ten of the reasons why.

  1. Sequence and Predictability – Most songs, especially those of the kid-friendly variety, have a predictable sequence that allows a child’s developing brain to grasp the pattern of the rhyming phonetic sounds and cadence.
  2. Repetition – Children seem to have, in most cases, a remarkable tolerance for repetition. In fact. it’s not unusual for kids to request the same song several times in succession; this familiarity with the song and its lyrics help them to catch on much more quickly than they would otherwise. Also, many childrens’ songs have often-repeated refrains and choruses, so that they same few lines recur several time within a single performance.
  3. They’re Enjoying the Process – A child might find themselves too bored to be stimulated into paying attention to a succession of flashcards, but enjoy the action of singing a new favorite song so much that they’re entirely focused on the endeavor.
  4. Positive Reinforcement – Children, like adults, attach favorable responses and outcomes to specific actions. While learning a new song, they’re most likely being taught by an adult or older sibling that they feel secure with and crave the attention of; having the command of this person’s attention helps kids to connect a positive experience with the action of learning a new song, causing them to be receptive to the process in the future.
  5. Learning Lyrics Boosts Vocabulary and Grasp of Words – As children learn the words to a new song, they’re also expanding their vocabulary and increasing their understanding of those words. They then find it easier to learn more new words through new songs, creating a cyclical effect in which they learn more because they’re learning more.
  6. Active Teaching – Though children are certainly able to learn the words to songs without much coaching, it’s more common for them to learn the lyrics as a result of being actively taught by an older child or adult. This one-on-one attention helps children to focus and develop skills more quickly.
  7. Immersive Experience – The fact that so many children’s’ songs have accompanying hand gestures, structured dance movements and interactive aspects makes it easy for kids to become completely engaged, listening and learning on every possible level.
  8. Their Brains Are Developing Rapidly – At no other time in our lives do individuals learn as quickly and absorb as much as children do during the first few crucial years. The brains of young children are developing at such a rapid pace that some experts believe that they work differently during this period. Studies with Alzheimer’s patients in which they’re able to recall the lyrics to children’s’ songs from their own era but nothing of the recent past has called into question the difference between the child brain and a more mature one.
  9. Music Actually Boosts Retention – Studies indicate that music can positively affect cognition, memory and retention skills. By pairing new words with the stimulating influence of a melody, kids may be learning the lyrics because of the tune.
  10. Encouragement and Praise – Children react to praise and encouragement with similarly positive responses. With each new song learned, parents and caregivers are likely to lavish them with praise, which in turn boosts their confidence and eagerness to tackle new songs and skills.

Statistically, older children with musical instruction and the ability to play an instrument tend to perform better on standardized tests, finish high school more often than their peers and even be better adjusted socially than their non-musical peers. Many educators believe that music is one of the most important aspects of a curriculum, as it boosts so many other areas of performance. Your toddler is proof that it’s never too early to gain a love and appreciation for music.

0saves
Save
If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment or subscribing to the RSS feed to have future articles delivered to your feed reader.
|

Comments are closed.