Womb to Bloom - Maternity & Beyond

The Mozart effect is a relatively new behavioral/neuroscience theory in the baby industry.  It started when a French researcher named Dr. Alfred A. Tomatis wrote that babies who listened to music by Mozart had enhanced intellect over babies who did not.  He announced his findings in 1991 and scientists have been arguing over the points ever since.

His original declaration was received pretty well.  More studies were created and researchers went in depth to study detailed results and procure a concrete theory.  Don Campbell, a researcher who wrote a book on the term in 1998, claimed that the Mozart effect increased a child’s IQ by 8 to 9 points, just by being exposed to Mozart’s music.

What’s behind the Mozart effect?

Listening to classical music, whether it is Mozart or not, affects a child’s spatial-temporal reasoning.  Those with excellent spatial-temporal reasoning turn out to be math and engineering whizzes and chess champions.  Spatial-temporal reasoning begins developing the minute you are born and continues through your childhood.  The better the basis you have as a baby, the better framework you have to work with as an older child or adult.

In the studies, scientists discovered music eased the mood of babies and children.  When music played during testing, they performed significantly better.  When the room was silent, they didn’t perform nearly as well.  Tests were conducted using children and adults of different ranges and capabilities.  Overall, results found that no matter what the person’s ability was, with Mozart playing in the background they performed better than when it wasn’t.

The Arguments

Once the claims were made for the Mozart effect, scientists came out and argued against it as well.  They claimed listening to music only temporarily increased IQ and had no positive effects after 20 minutes.  They believe listening to music helped a child to stay in a good mood but once the music stopped, so did the higher abilities.

Other scientists argued over Mozart’s music and classical music in general.  They never came to a consensus, but acknowledged that Mozart’s music had better results over other composers.  Why?  No one knows for sure, but Mozart uses an upbeat tone and rhythm in his scores.

The result?

Both sides still argue over how much of a difference the Mozart effect actually makes on the long term.  The short-term findings are very positive.  Playing classical music certainly won’t harm your baby.  If you play it while they sleep, it can do good, so why not try?  The soothing music will also calm them down or get them relaxed.  Relaxed and quiet are great things too.  Take a little bit of help anywhere you can get it. 

Superb Classical Composers CDs

Mozart
Beethoven
Chopin
Tchaikovsky

When you shop at any store that contains music, you can pick up a classical composer’s CD.  Companies also make CDs specific in lullabies and compilations of different composers.  You might find you enjoy the music as well and play it in the car.