ABSTRACT
Music has an infinite capacity to affect brain and body. It can act as a unifying force and a vehicle by which other skills can be developed, enjoyed & understood. A baby's first toy is her voice, with which she experiments, honing her skills and gradually gaining control. 'Cooing' develops into short musical babbling phrases at around 2 months of age, which by 3 to 4 months have become short snippets of melody imitating the shape of the voices and language she hears. By 4–5 months, her vocal musical play shows clear links with the intonation and characteristics of the language she hears most from her home environment, which plays a significant role in her musical and singing development. A continuous pulse provides the foundation upon which all music sits; consequently the ability to feel a steady beat within oneself is a fundamental musical skill. Through musical activity children play, develop their communication and express their feelings.
