Making Music Together Produces Happier Kids

Music listening and singing are two of the best ways to encourage your young child's growth not only as a musician, but as a well-rounded, happy kid.  A musical environment paves the way for more musicality as well as cognitive growth.  And research shows that singing is linked to both physiological and psychological changes that make people feel happy.

Playing and singing with a teddy bear friend

From experience with my own children, I have found that the more often we listen to music, and especially if we sing, do actions, or dance along, I will find other "musical moments" happening spontaneously.  Maybe I will notice my children singing to themselves as they play, or maybe they will want to perform a song, dance or rhyme for the family. Maybe they will make up their own words to familiar songs, or make up their own songs all together. I LOVE catching them in the act of making music! 

Singing on the deck/"stage"

Besides being fun and creative right here and now, these moments are laying the foundation for musicianship skills like performance, improvisation and composition. Not to mention building confidence and simple, pure enjoyment of music!  Read more about creating a "rich sensory environment" by giving your kids more chances to experience music on kidshealth.org or pbskids.org

Singing on the bus during a school field trip

Beyond enjoyment, music can actually produce physiological changes in our brains that help us feel good.  The act of singing releases endorphins, the brain's "feel good" chemicals.  Physical things that happen when we sing, like deep breathing, can have some of the same effects as aerobic exercise: more oxygen in the blood for better circulation, stress reduction, and improved mood.  Read more about music and mood at healthychildren.org.

Singing improves our mood - even on long hikes!

Singing has also been shown to reduce anxiety and depression and promote psychological health. Studies have shown that choral singers rate their life satisfaction higher than average, even when problems they face are more substantial.  While soloists, such as karaoke singers, report increased confidence, choral singers rate even higher on life satisfaction, most likely because of the social aspects of choral singing - the support system that comes with belonging to and being needed by a group.  And since that group most likely meets regularly, there is a built-in time and place where the focus is primarily on learning new music, making harmony, getting a rhythm just right, etc.  So during this time, worries tend to fade to the background, or even melt away.

Singing in a group with friends at a Let's Play Music recital

So there is a lot of science to support what I have already come to intuitively understand for myself and my family:  making music a part of our every day by listening, singing, playing instruments, clapping, moving and dancing helps us relax, unwind, destress, and get happy!  All this while at the same time improving our skills and progressing towards musical goals.  It's a big, smiley win-win!

P.S.  If music time at your house is no longer feeling like play, and NOT producing smiles and relaxation, but tears and frustration, read this post to help you re-evaluate and find ways to get the happy back.