Infants Groove Before Mastering the Stride!

In a fascinating exploration of early childhood development, a review article published in the journal Current Directions in Psychological Science delves into the world of dance and its implications for understanding perceptual and musical memory.

One intriguing hypothesis suggests that the connections being formed between the brain's language and motor systems could be responsible for the emergence of dance. This theory is supported by the observation that babies exhibit dance-like movements such as swaying or bouncing to music before their first birthday.

The reasons and mechanisms behind why dance emerges so early are not yet fully understood, but a study has shown that 20-month-olds shifted their attention and 11-month-olds shifted their dance behavior when the melody or lyrics of a song changed. This suggests that babies may have a rudimentary understanding of music and its rhythm.

Interestingly, babies may mimic parental actions, such as clapping, in dance. This could imply that dance is not only an innate ability but also a learned behaviour, possibly through repetitive movements and parental reinforcement.

The length of time babies dance can also vary. Some dance for minutes, while others may only move for a few seconds. However, it has been observed that babies move faster to faster music, demonstrating they have a sense of rhythm at a young age.

Dance could also play a significant role in language development. Babies who move more rhythmically at 7 months have a broader vocabulary at 20 months. Furthermore, children who are better at matching musical rhythms have better language skills.

The individual difference in a child's propensity for dance may be due to varying levels of encouragement and exposure. Parents and caregivers can choose to encourage or not encourage dancing in their children. Synchronized movement with a parent can strengthen the bond between parent and child, and music and dancing can help alleviate stress for both parent and child.

Laura Cirelli, a neuroscientist specializing in sleep and brain plasticity, working at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, is at the forefront of this research. Her work focuses on the crucial connections that are formed between the brain's language and motor systems, which may also support the emergence of dance.

In a study, Brazilian preschool children were found to be better at matching rhythms with their feet than German children, which the authors link to Brazilian culture. This finding underscores the role that culture plays in shaping a child's dance abilities.

In conclusion, dance in early childhood is a fascinating area of study, with implications for our understanding of perceptual and musical memory. As research continues, we may uncover more about the role dance plays in our lives and the role it can play in supporting language development and bonding between parents and children.