For generation upon generation, all over the world, songs and lullabies have been sung to babies and children to soothe them and help them to sleep soundly. Certain benefits are obvious—relaxation, and strengthening the relationship between parent and child—but is there something more happening?

Studies have shown that fine music can have a positive impact on brain development, cognitive awareness and memory, in effect giving children a mental boost, particularly when listened to from birth or even earlier.

There is debate as to whether these benefits are long-term or simply temporary. But in our view, there is without doubt real value to be gained by infants experiencing music, and children learning and performing it.