The power and beauty of dance have captivated the hearts of countless people all around the world. And it's never too early to start tapping your toes and twirling around - even for babies!
As soon as they can move, babies respond to music and can be seen swaying, bouncing, and clapping along to their favorite tunes. While baby dancing is often thought of as a recreational activity for those with more developed motor skills, the truth is that babies start dancing almost from birth.
From rocking back and forth in time with the music to imitating adults' movements, babies have an innate urge to dance. Research has shown that newborns or even crying babies will move as much as possible in response to a rhythm or sound - moving their heads, arms, and legs - while still in the womb!
This behavior continues into infancy when babies begin experimenting with their body’s movement capabilities. Through these movements, they can express emotion, practice coordination, and balance skills, develop control over their muscles and so much more.
But when do babies start dancing? As it turns out, infants begin to move rhythmically to music long before they can walk or talk. So, what does baby dancing look like, and how can you encourage your child’s development in this area? Let’s go over the basics of infant movement and development.
Types Of Baby Movement
When babies are first born, they tend to move in erratic jerks and reflexive movements. As they get older, these jerky movements become smoother and more coordinated.
By the age of two months old, babies will usually have developed a steady rhythm when listening to music or hearing someone sing. This will often manifest as head bobbing or swaying from side to side with the beat of the music.
As babies get older and more physically advanced, these movements will become even more complex and intentional. By nine months old, babies may even attempt to get up on their feet and imitate actual dance moves and enjoy dancing!
Read More: How To Get Your Baby To Sleep Without Being Held?
Encouraging Baby Movement
One of the best ways you can help your baby learn how to move rhythmically is by exposing them to different kinds of music. Put on some upbeat tunes (or even silly nursery rhymes) that you enjoy singing along with regularly – this will help your baby develop an appreciation for music from such a young age.
- Singing songs together is also a great way to create an enjoyable environment where your baby can explore dance movements without feeling embarrassed or self-conscious.
- Playing musical instruments and create own music genres around your baby is also beneficial; this helps reinforce rhythmic patterns as well as help them develop an understanding of different tones and pitches.
- You can also encourage dancing and your child’s physical development by providing toys that require movement such as rattles or balls that make noise when shaken or thrown around. Allowing them plenty of time outside will give them room to practice their growing physical abilities too!
- Once your little one starts crawling or toddling around, it's time to create more elaborate dances! Find some upbeat songs that both you and your baby enjoy—classical music works well too—and let the dance party begin! Try playing games like Freeze Dance where you stop dancing when the music stops (and encourage your baby to do the same).
- Or invent some silly moves that reflect what's going on in the song lyrics—use props like scarves or shakers for added fun. And if all else fails, just turn up the volume and let loose!
- You don't have to make up all of your dance moves! There are tons of resources online that offer parent-baby classes, videos, or even online courses that will help you learn all kinds of fun interactive dances for two (or more!).
- Check out websites like YouTube for ideas or contact local studios for dance classes tailored specifically for parents with babies. No matter what kind of routine you create together, it's sure to be an adventure full of laughter and memories!
Read More: How Much Is A Scoop Of Formula?
Musical Stimulation For Infants: What Music Should You Play For Your Baby?
Playing music for your baby stimulates their senses, helps them learn the language and motor skills, and even encourages emotional development. But what kind of music should you be playing for your baby? Read on to find out!
Classical Music
Classical music is generally considered the most beneficial type of music for babies, as it has been found to have the greatest effect on cognitive development. It can also help infants become more emotionally regulated and improve their overall mood.
Classical music is typically slow-paced and has a predictable structure, making it easy for babies to follow along with and get used to. Furthermore, studies have shown that classical music can help babies fall asleep faster and sleep longer than those who do not listen to any type of musical stimulation.
Lullabies
Lullabies are another great choice when it comes to musical stimulation for infants. Lullabies are usually soft and soothing, which helps calm babies down when they get overly excited or overwhelmed.
The repetitive nature of lullabies also makes them easy to follow, helping babies develop their language skills at an early age. Additionally, lullabies often contain soothing lyrics which can help promote positive emotions in infants while reducing stress levels at the same time.
Read More: How To Label Pacifiers For Daycare
Instrumental Music
Instrumental music is another great option when choosing what type of music to play for your baby. Instrumental pieces often feature a variety of instruments playing together in harmony, creating a unique soundscape that stimulates your baby’s senses in a way that words cannot replicate.
Instrumentals can also be calming yet stimulating at the same time due to their complexity—making them perfect background noise during playtime or nap time alike!
Conclusion
Babies start dancing in a variety of ways, depending on their age and development level. While some start as early as 6 months, others may not begin until they are 2 or 3 years old. Dancing can be a great way for babies to express emotion and have fun, but it also helps them develop coordination, gross motor skills, and spatial awareness.
Parents should not be concerned if their baby does not dance at an early age; eventually, he or she will learn how to move with the music. As with all activities involving children, adult supervision is recommended as babies get more active in their dancing!