Developing Discriminatory Listening Begins with Babies!

Musical Parenting Tip:  Notice and label sounds, with baby

Why?

• Music develops babies’ growing discriminatory listening skills by hearing the various sounds of instruments and the voices of adults singing and humming.
• The ability to detect and attend to sounds—and to distinguish between them—sets babies on the path to fine-tuned listening and receptive language

How?

• Being aware of the auditory environment will help you create a listening space for baby, especially if you are engaging baby in an activity where you want him to hear and listen to your voice.  Activities like reading, vocal play, and conversation are most successful when there is no competition for your baby's listening attention.
• Go on a video field trip to see 'Other Farm Animals!'  Experience these 'less common' farm animals, with baby, and have fun with the sounds these animals make.  Can you make that animal's sound with your voice?  How does baby react? 
• Look at Activity #8 to learn the sign language for this album of songs - lots of animals, in this set!
• Get the whole family involved, and create an ‘Old MacDonald Had a Farm’ dance!  Can Daddy hear which animal is on the farm?  Does brother know how to move like the animals?  Does Gramma have the best 'quack' imitation?  Have fun dancing with the animals!

Want to learn more?

On our blog, read 10 Reasons to Give Babies a Daily Dose of Music! 

Also, check out all of these animal sounds!