Study Finds Singing To Infants Makes Them Happier

According to a study published in Child Development, regularly singing to infants can lead to lasting improvements in their overall mood and well-being. Researchers from Yale University and the University of Auckland tracked 110 families with young infants over 10 weeks, using smartphone technology to capture real-time data on family life. The study found that when parents increased their singing through a structured music enrichment program, their babies showed significant improvements in mood that persisted even after the program ended. This effect was specific to the infants, as the parents’ moods remained unchanged. The study builds on previous research demonstrating music’s calming effects on babies, who listen to singing for longer than speech before becoming distressed. The authors conclude that this simple practice can provide real health benefits for infants. (StudyFinds)