Increasing a Child’s IQ with Classical Music?
By KK on Mar 25, 2007 in Mommy Files, Thinker
I believe classical music stimulates a child’s brain in a beneficial way. The music will not increase the IQ per se but maximizes what the child has by firing up the neurons in certain parts of his/her brain.
This is discussed more thoroughly here: Mozart Effect and Dubious ‘Mozart Effect’…
We have exposed my daughter to classical music since she was a baby. Her favorites are Beethoven, Mozart and Tchaikovsky. When I was pregnant with her I mostly listened to Kenny G. and Yanni. She also enjoys Evanesense, James Taylor, Rush and Dream Theater. I believe it’s how a child is encouraged to learn that really makes a difference. If parents care enough to let their children listen to classical music, then most likely they are in right track. One thing I learned is never to underestimate the little ones. Encourage them to learn- bring them to museums, concerts, different places and let them absorb what they can.
Don’t expect to turn a low IQ child into a genius with music because the genes come into play too. So if you want to have a child with superior IQ and you have average IQ(like me), your best bet is to marry someone with alot of smarts to better your chances(of improving the race) and pray that the child gets the desirable genes, hehehe.
Trivia: Albert Einstein played Mozart’s sonatas on his violin for relaxation.
Note: I noticed that while driving and having a heavy metal background, I tend to be more impatient and more short tempered. On the other hand, mellow music has the opposite effect.
Scientific proof or none, listening to different kinds of music can influence the way we think and act. I would rather have my child listen to classical music than the noise the music companies sell like hot cakes at $12 a pop. The 10 disc classical music that I bought from Ross costs $1/cd(it’s been marked down because no one is buying it). Thanks to the Little Einsteins
But then again, it’s not only IQ that can help a child become successful, there’s the EQ(Emotional Intelligence) too but that’s another post.
The photo has nothing to do with the post, I’m just sharing Spring with you. It’s something nice to look at. This was taken last year. My husband planted the tulips.
noemi | Mar 25, 2007 | Reply
I raised my children to baroque music (Handel, Bach, Vivaldi etc) because the largo beat is suited for relaxation and learning skills. I don’t know what the long term effect is but they surely have fond memories of this music. I can say I have intelligent kids though
BTW, classical music came in much later than baroque music.
marie | Mar 25, 2007 | Reply
hmmmm too late for my teener Queenie, I hate the kind of music teenagers listen to these days specially the lyrics with sexual insinuations, kainis.
Rach | Mar 26, 2007 | Reply
When my son was a baby, I would always play classical and nice soft instrumental music to help him sleep.
I agree that classical music is great in stimulating a child’s brain. I personally think it has a calming effect on a person’s moods.
analyse | Mar 26, 2007 | Reply
yes, IQ alone is not sufficient enough to succeed in todays world, it needs a load of EQ to counter-balance everything and have a humaine approach.
Tina | Mar 26, 2007 | Reply
Hi Ate Noemi,
I think it’s the combination of genes, the music and parental guidance that’s why your kids are what they are today :). I like PDQ Bach and Vivaldi.
Hi Ate Marie,
That’s why I’m trying to influence Little K with the choice of music now that I have control and hopefully she’ll continue to enjoy this type of music when she is in her teens. You are so right about the words of songs that teenagers are listening to these days are just centered on sex.
Hi Rach,
It’s great that you also let your son listen to classical, tuloy-tuloy mo lang. It’s so cute to hear the little ones say “I like Mozart…”
Hi Analyse,
Some parents want to push their kids to “improve” the IQ and forget about how important it is to handle human-to-human situations.
Rach | Mar 27, 2007 | Reply
Hi again! Just wanted to let you know that I tagged you on my blog (Tagged :: 7 Songs). Hope you can visit to play along. No hurry. Whenever you have some free time.
Take care!
Girlie | Mar 27, 2007 | Reply
i listened to classical music a lot when i was pregnant too, i even put headphones to my tummy, and there was a time i can feel my child moving with the music…really
N is so into classical music, there’s still balance here at home kahit head banging ng music ni Ish.
julie | Mar 27, 2007 | Reply
Had earphones on my tummy when I was pregnant with classical music playing. Did that to all three of them but mostly to my second born, my 5yo boy. Tween daughter T is good with keyboards and flute. She can play without anyone teaching her (mana sa ama). J, our son is a math whiz, can do 2 digit multiplication mentally and divide too. Our youngest T can sing tunes/songs she heard for two or three times. Right now, we are playing classical-like music every time they are in the car, taken from Sims cd/soundtrack. They enjoy it though I prefer the real classical music. But it will do for now, I guess.
Tina | Mar 27, 2007 | Reply
Hi Ate Girlie,
It’s great to hear that you also listened to classical music and let your babies listen to them too :). Moving with the music, wow galing!
Hi Julie,
It’s great to hear another success story from another mom. Your family is musically inclined, galing!
sexy mom | Mar 27, 2007 | Reply
whether or not music increases the IQ, we all in the family know it is soothing. i would sing to my babies (all 7 of them) the same songs, and it’s amazing that while growing up, they would know the songs by heart. my kids are all musically inclined (i am not), they perhaps take from my husband’s side of the family.
Leah | Mar 28, 2007 | Reply
My daughter likes music too and enjoys all sorts. She likes what we like. And we like Classical and Jazz. She’s started liking the pop music too.
Tina | Mar 29, 2007 | Reply
Hi Sexymom.
You should try doing a podcast of your songs :), that’ll be something to look forward to.
Hi Leah,
It’s great to hear that your family likes classical too. I’m choosy with the pop :).
delish | Mar 29, 2007 | Reply
not so sure about the IQ thing… but i can attest to Bach being really soothing and calming… something about repetitive notes, i think…
tina | Mar 31, 2007 | Reply
Hi Delish,
There are some of Bach’s that are soothing, there are those that tell a story. So either way, it’s great to listen to it. Thanks for dropping by.
Belle | Apr 1, 2007 | Reply
my children’s music teacher said the same thing. i introduced music to my children since they were in my tummy. whenever Steffi is home for a school break, i would go in her room and hear classical music playing in her room. it was actually soothing that i ended up lying on her bed for half an hour just to listen to the music.
both of my girls are muscially inclined. steffi thinks she is wasting her life at Stanford when she should be recording. my youngest plans to pursue a course in music education.
nice post tina!
BatJay, Ang Dating Hippopotamus | Apr 2, 2007 | Reply
will it make a difference if you play filipino music?
Tina | Apr 2, 2007 | Reply
Hi Ate Belle,
Your girls are very talented :). I remember you also played the guitar while you sang to them. Steffi shouldn’t feel she is wasting her life at Stanford. She can record duing summer ;).
Hi Kuya BatJay,
I can say majority of the OPMs just like Pop in the US are made to entertain and sell to the highest number of buyers. I call it like fornula music. I think you would know what I mean if you listen to an OPM cd then switch to classical. Don’t get me wrong, I like Filipino music like Fredie Aguilar’s, Gary V’s, Martin Nievera’s, etc.
francesca | Apr 3, 2007 | Reply
sabi ni Lolo, basta musicians, they are all romantic by heart, because music goes with hearts and emotions also besides the mind.
Sana me anak akong singer, kasi sintunado sila even during mass singing, lol
rhodora | Apr 5, 2007 | Reply
I let my babies sleep with the music on. So it is a habit that until now they cannot shake off. Hindi sila makatulog pag walang radyo..
I do believe music does have effect on the subconscious, and yes, it can possibly increase IQ.
Tina | Apr 8, 2007 | Reply
Hi Ate Amy,
It’s true musicians are romantic. Kahit ba sa chorus sintunado, ok lang yun, may iba naman silang talents eh.
Hi Ate Rhodora,
and the subconcious affects our concious state that’s why we have to be careful to what we listen to diba?
geri | Apr 12, 2007 | Reply
hi Tina, I noticed when I was pregnant I played a lot of classical music in the car and it did calm me more than the pop music I usually listen to in the mornings.
Tina | Apr 24, 2007 | Reply
Hi Geri, it’s amazing that music can affect us so much?