Is it possible to shape a child's brain development by altering the mother's musical preferences or the volume of sounds she exposes the fetus to during pregnancy? This question has sparked interest and research in recent years. As an infant develops, its senses begin to awaken around the seventh month, eagerly receiving waves of touch and sound. Babies who struggle with communication may experience slower development compared to those who have the ability to vocalize. Welcome to the world, little one!
For those unfamiliar with the concept, try connecting with the baby by feeling its movements. Establish a bond with your baby as soon as you sense their presence. One of the most effective ways to stimulate cognitive and emotional development is to talk to your baby from the moment they are born.
Remarkably, infants in the womb can hear their mother's voice and other sounds from their environment. They not only perceive these sounds but also remember and process them similar to newborns. Scientific studies have shown that infants can recall specific noises they were exposed to in utero.
Recently, a team of scientists at the University of Helsinki in Finland conducted a groundbreaking study. They examined expectant mothers who had aversions to particular sounds. After giving birth, the women returned to the research facility, this time with their newborns by their sides instead of inside them. Surprisingly, the study revealed that the preborn children's minds responded to the same sounds as their mothers' uteri.
The study's principal author, from the University of Helsinki, explains that gaining a better understanding of early language development could lead to the creation of interventions for babies with delayed language development. During the 29th week of pregnancy until birth, researchers played specific sounds like "tatata" or "tatota" in various ways with different pitches.
When these infants were later exposed to the same sounds they had encountered in the womb, they displayed stronger reactions to the waves generated by those sounds compared to infants who hadn't been exposed to them prenatally. While this study had a limited sample size, it is reasonable to assume that preterm infants can comprehend speech when it is played through the uterine wall.
These findings raise several intriguing questions. Can we begin a child's language development in the womb? Does exposure to specific sounds aid or hinder cognitive growth? Can the development of certain mental abilities be influenced by exposing the fetus to particular sounds? Research has been conducted on the effects of sound waves on plant growth, where seeds from the same parent plant were separated and grown in separate rooms under identical conditions. One plant was exposed to an extra hour of music daily, while the other was not. In 1962, Dr. TC Singh, the head of botany at Annamalai University in India, conducted a similar experiment on various species. He discovered that balsam plants exposed to music grew 20% taller and 72% larger in biomass.
Imagine the impact that music, which can stimulate the growth of plants that cannot hear but can feel vibrations caused by sound waves, can have on a child's development.
The benefits of music extend beyond improved hearing. It serves as a source of inspiration, healing, and vitality, providing something beneficial for the unborn child.
