Classical music for a smart baby - Exposing the Myth

I don't think there are many people, parents or otherwise that haven't been told or suggested that playing classical music to an infant or baby will increase their intelligence.

And of course on the surface it makes sense, perhaps not on a scientific level, but on a cultural level. Most classical pieces having now not been referred to as what we would call pop nowadays for around 400 years. It's taken it's place among pricey theatre houses and as a past time and passion for the rich and privileged. And now, quite wrongly, we associate those who are privately taught and have a more "refined" taste to be of a higher intelligence. But all the private schooling, theatre trips, posh accents and flawless credentials won't change those IQ points.





So where did it start? Suprisingly not that long ago.

In 1991 Alfred A. Tomatis, a french researcher experiemented in using Mozart's music to heal the ear and encourage developments in the brain.

The research was taken further in 1993 as a study was performed on spatial reasoning and intelligence, three states were measured, one of which was after listening to Mozart's Sonata. The research found an increase in spatial awareness among subjects but nothing was mentioned about an increase in intelligence and no claim was made by the original researchers.

Enter the general public. The paper was picked up by the New York Times who published an article stating that listening to mozart could actually make you smarter.  From here on the wrongly cited myth spread. In a 1997 book by Don Campell. The Mozart Effect is outlined, boasting temporary increases in IQ and other beneficial effects on the brain. He recommended playing the music to infants to increase the mental capabilities early. While this was seen as controversial it didn't stop a follow on book being published this time outline the Mozart Effect exclusively for children.


In 1998, Zell Miller, Governer of Georgia stated that "No one questions that listening to music at a very early age affects the spatial-temporal reasoning that underlies math and engineering and even chess." He then proposed a state budget of $105,000 so that every child born in Georgia would be provided with a tape or CD of classical music. Other musical styles were suggested but there wasn't really any research that could support the positive effect of other styles of music.

Following these events, in the late 90s and early 2000s, new studies have been performed which suggest that children are affected positively and have better spacial intelligence when played music they enjoy, or with a quick tempo.  But this was short lived. It was found that the same minimal short term perks could be achieved on simple tasks by listening to music or a passage from a book and represented miniscule impact on IQ on the whole with no discernable long term benefits.


So what does this all mean really? Should you play Classical music to your children?

 In short, Music as a whole is great for development, it's good fun, encourages development in moving (dancing etc), and a whole host of other benefits to your child. Will it make them smarter? Doubtful. But it won't make them any less so.

It's also important to mention that a well rounded baby education is better than relying on quick methods to increase IQ. There are many learning oppurtunites and games that can help with bonding and development.

I may delve into some of these at a later date, so keep checking back :)





On an interesting side note. One effect of mozart's music has been a decrease in epileptic activity in epileptic patients, only one other piece of music seems to have the same effect, a song by the Greek composer Yanni, entitled "Acroyali/Standing in Motion"