Last week I delivered my very first Beautiful Noise session with seven adorable newborn babies. It was truly magical seeing their reactions to new sounds and also the sheer amazement on the parents’ faces when the sound of the triangle had them all mesmerised…”It’s like magic!” exclaimed one mum open mouthed.
When doing my preparation, I reminded myself of a lot of the science and research that surrounds baby development. This was a bit of a throwback to my Psychology degree days and, as I read, things started to come flooding back. But it did get me thinking. As I embarked on my own parenting journey I had no way of knowing how much music would help me connect, comfort, and nurture him in those precious early months.
When I became a parent, I knew that it would be tough and that I had lots to learn, but I thought I was as prepared as I could be. I’d read the books, bought the tiny clothes, decorated the nursery. I was expecting the sleepless nights, the endless nappy changes, and the mountains of laundry. But I wasn’t prepared for how little I know about my baby’s development, nor how little this was talked about in any pre-natal courses.
You Don’t Get a Manual
It was a while ago now — my son is 6 — but I still remember those early days. In my case my simple goal was to keep my son breathing for 24 hrs – never one to try to be an overachiever 😉!
Once I’d figured out that I was able to keep a small human alive - #winning - I realised that I needed to find some things to actually do with him, despite seeming to while away many an hour just staring at him and watching his delight at pushing a tiny lion hanging down on his playmat! Like many new parents, I just wanted to do everything “right,” or if not “right” just “not wrong!” but I often felt unsure. Nobody tells you exactly how your baby’s brain and body are growing or just how much is happening in those first few months and years and how much you can affect it.
I started to notice that whenever I sang to him (which I did pretty often given my love of singing), he would quiet down and listen. His little eyes would light up when I clapped to a beat. And when I bounced him on my knee to a silly song or nursery rhyme, I got the most wonderful smiles and giggles.
At the time, I just thought it was cute — but later I learned those little moments were actually building blocks for his development.
Why Music?
Music turned out to be so much more than just a way to entertain my baby or fill the silence. It helped him — and me — in ways I couldn’t have imagined:
🎶 Language and Listening Skills: He began to recognise rhythms, patterns, and even words through songs and rhymes.
🎶 Motor Skills: Clapping, tapping, and little bounces helped his coordination and strength.
🎶 Emotional Bonding: Making music together strengthened our connection and helped us both feel calm and happy.
🎶 Memory and Cognitive Growth: The repetition of songs seemed to soothe him, and later I realised it was helping his memory and attention too.
Our First Music Classes
One of the best decisions I made back then was to join a baby music class. When my son was 6 months old I went along to Monkey Music in Putney where I was then living. Not only did it give me ideas for songs and activities to try at home, but it also showed me just how much my baby was already capable of absorbing — even before he could speak or walk.
Watching him smile and interact with the music and the other babies gave me so much confidence and made me feel more in tune with his needs. It was the highlight of my week!
Looking Back
Six years on, I still feel grateful for the role music played in those early days. And I love the fact that I now have the privilege of bringing music to little ones from as young as 7 weeks to those children just about to start school in my role as a Monkey Music teacher. I also love the fact that my son and I still enjoy singing and making music together!
If you’re a new parent, it’s completely normal to feel unsure or overwhelmed. But trust me — every cuddle, every lullaby, every silly dance is helping your baby grow in ways you can’t always see.
And if you’re looking for a simple, joyful way to support your baby’s development — come along and join us for one of our many Monkey Music Experiences. From our Beautiful Noise course for newborns, our 4 stage weekly classes for babies from 3 months all the way up to 4yrs or our pay as you go holiday workshops.
Because in the symphony of parenthood, music really can be the secret ingredient.
Posted: 07/07/2025
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