Bonding – When you sing to your baby, she/he bonds with you and your voice. Singing makes yours the first and most important voice in your child’s life.
Transitions – Babies feel safe when life is predictable. A song for waking up, sleeping, and other routine activities helps them know what comes next.
Language – Language is in itself musical. When you sing and speak, your baby learns about words and communication.
New Words – While you sing and hold your baby, you introduce new vocabulary.
Rhythm and rhyme – Music includes rhythm and rhyme. In time, babies begin to recognize familiar rhymes and rhythms.
Play – Singing is one of many methods of play. It is a fun way to interact with babies.
Family Fun – Singing is a great way to involve the whole family. Singing and playing builds a bond between siblings.
Singing Names – A baby can learn his/her name by hearing it in songs. Try substituting your baby’s name for other words in songs so that he/she hears their name sung over and over again.
Listening Skills – Singing is an activity that requires listening. Singing is an opportunity for your baby to begin to understand language and feelings.
LOVE – All of this boils down to using your singing voice as a way to express love. Babies don’t care if you are a great singer. They only care that you are singing to THEM! In their eyes (and their ears), you’re a star!
Excerpts of this article taken from NAEYC for Families (National Association for the Education of Young Children).