This may be a question you have never thought much about in the past, but if you have children, it is something you absolutely need to think about. If you knew that there was an advantage you could give your children over others to survive later in life, wouldn't you do whatever it took to give it to them? Of course you would! That is exactly why you need to pay attention to this question. Early childhood music exposure could be that advantage that you want to give your children for a more successful life.

Music and movement plays a central role in adult life. Think of all the ways it has affected your own life to date. You may have had many of these common modern experiences:

* School dances, parties, and get-togethers
* The first dance at a wedding
* Night club fun
* Enjoying a concert with friends
* Intimate, private dances with someone special on vacation
* Exercising to music
* Cleaning the house to music
* Sharing music lyrics as a form of self expression

This list could go on and on. There are many different ways music and movement influence adult life in the modern world. If you are starting to see why children who have many early childhood music influences could be at an advantage over children who only experience life later in life, you
are onto something!

When children are exposed to music and movement from a young age, they learn to process and utilize music in ways that will be advantageous later in life. Think of the toddler who is calmed from a temper tantrum through music. They will learn from those early childhood music influences that music is relaxing and calming. They may be found later in life running or walking with music plugged into their ears, because they know it is a way to take some stress off their shoulders.

Now compare that child to a toddler who is shut in a room or yelled at when they throw a temper tantrum. They are not exposed to music as a way of soothing and calming themselves, and they are not offered other methods of calming themselves, either. They could be at a disadvantage later in life if they are unable to calm themselves from anger and relieve stress in an effective manner.

Another advantage for the musically -inclined child could be in the social arena. Children who experience early childhood music exposure often feel more comfortable dancing and interacting with others in a musical environment. They may grow up to gravitate toward concerts, bands, and other forms of music. This will make it easier for them to connect with others and enjoy the many social settings that involve music and movement.

There is no scientific proof that children who are not given early childhood music exposure are disadvantaged later in life, but you can see how children who are given this exposure could be at an advantage in many situations. Isn't it better to put them in early childhood music classes and play music in your home so they have that potential advantage?