“While the Canadian Research study included only a small sampling of children, the findings were in agreement with numerous previous studies. Educational and developmental specialists have speculated for generations that musical instruction benefits children far beyond the musical realm,” it said.

In January this year, The Literacy Trust reported that research produced by the Tel Aviv University’s School of Medicine had found that playing Mozart to premature babies reduces their resting and energy expenditure (REE) and the researchers have cautiously speculated that this could, in turn, help premature babies to gain weight.

A paper published online in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences on 26th January 2009 suggests that babies are born with an innate sense of rhythm and beat perception. The repetition found in music, lullabies and every day household sounds has long been said to remind baby of their mother's heart beat in the womb, going on to play a key role in bonding and social development. Research indicates that many babies who are played classical music experience higher cognitive development, while a strong correlation between music instruction and higher academic performance has been found in a number of studies.

Learning an instrument is known to promote concentration; co-ordination; patience and perseverance, as well as boosting self confidence. A study by researchers at the University of Wisconsin and the University of California showed that when 3 and 4 year old children were given simple piano lessons over a 6 month period, they performed 34% better than other children in IQ tests, with researchers concluding that music training effectively ‘jump starts' the brain.

Music and musical instruments help to develop baby's emotional, linguistic and motor skills in a non pressurised, enjoyable way: "Playing nursery rhymes and song tapes to your baby will help them get a feel for the rhythm of language, long before they can understand what is actually being said. As they grow older, new information set to music will be more easily remembered and singing provides a fantastic way to teach your infant colours, numbers and letters," explains Ask Baby.

A wide range of musical toys, cot mobiles, CD's, DVD's and books which provide comfort to babies while aiding in the learning and development of toddlers, should perhaps be accompanied by your own personal recommendation that music be central to a child's upbringing.

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