Will Mozart Make My Baby a Genius?

by: Music Teacher Amira Fuller

For years there has been the age-old tale that if your baby listened to Mozart while in the womb, they would come out a genius ready for the world. While that story might be a little blown out of proportion, it has been shown that music benefits babies at any age, even before they are born. As both a music teacher and first-time mom, this really sparked my curiosity. During my pregnancy, I've enjoyed feeling the baby dancing along to a few of my holiday program selections. It’s always nice to get a positive second opinion, but this left me wondering if what I listened to at this stage made a difference in their connections to music and development. Was I limiting my baby’s potential by listening to holiday program songs during the day instead of Mozart’s greatest hits?

Babies are first able to hear sounds from the world, including music, from around 27-29 weeks along and have been shown to have memories and connections to music they heard repetitively throughout the pregnancy. While some studies have shown that babies recall various types of music, no evidence has been presented that indicates one type of music is better than another. The major benefits of music don’t lie in what music the baby hears, but simply in the opportunity to hear it. Many people feel pressure to listen to certain types of music in the interest of expediting their child’s development, but what matters the most is the repetition of specific songs to create a connection with them, listening to a variety of styles of music, and having it continue to be a present part of their life after birth.

This gave me a sense of peace, knowing that there is no key difference between dancing around to endless plays of Hot Cup of Cocoa versus Rondo Alla Turca, but that both can play an important role. Being reaffirmed that it is the presence of music that matters most is comforting and reassuring. While I might make a point to listen to, or more realistically sing along with nonstop, specific songs more frequently that I want the baby to be extra familiar with and find comfort and familiarity in when trying to soothe them after birth, I don’t have to feel pressured to only listen to one style of music. Though Mozart isn’t a listening requirement for the baby that doesn't mean it won’t still be a part of our musical rotation. I know some Magic Flute and Cosi Fan Tutti will certainly make it into my baby’s repertoire along with music that might not be considered as intellectually stimulating but still sparks joy, because those are the music genres that we enjoy as a family.

There is no wrong music to listen to while pregnant or during your baby’s early developmental stages. What matters most is that you are sharing your love of music with them and allowing music to work its magic, through whatever genre or style best suits you and your family. So sing along to T-Swift if that’s your avenue for joy, or belt along with the Queen of the Night if that’s where you find delight in music. What matters is surrounding yourself and your baby in sound with as much music as you can and that you continue to enjoy music along with your child.