Prenatal and Postnatal Development of Musical Behaviors and Their Role in Infancy

The present chapter argues that early musical interaction is to a large degree connected to neurodevelopmental milestones in humans. As the brain matures and the infants become accustomed to their auditory and musical environment, the infants’ abilities for music perception improves. Especially audition plays a large role as the infant is quite passive during the first months of life, and the chapter suggests that the development of musical skills builds especially upon the strengths and capabilities of the auditory system. These developing early musical skills give rise to musical behaviors in interaction with the caregivers, who direct and guide the infant to produce behavior that their own culture classifies as music. While the development of musical behaviors is part of normal development, the contributors believe that caregivers can utilize music to promote the wellbeing of their child and see music as especially helpful for children at risk.