Parenting 4 Kids Nationally accredited, 4 Kids Early Learning Network serves children and families throughout the Mon Valley. Through this column, 4 Kids staff members answer reader questions about raising children in the critical early years. E-mail questions for consideration to: questions@4kidsearlyed.org, or mail to: 4 Kids Questions, 445 Fourth St., Braddock, PA 15104.

Q: Is it good for my newborn if I play music in the house? If it is, what kind is best?

A: We wholeheartedly believe your newborn will benefit if you play music at home.

Music does for infants and kids what it does for adults: depending on the type and tempo, it can soothe and calm (great for a fussy, crying infant), or stimulate and energize (appropriate for a baby who's awake and active).

At our centers, music is an integral part of all our classrooms -- including the infant rooms.

We play soft, slow classical selections (like Brahms' Lullaby) at rest time; that cues the children that it's time to relax, and it helps settle them.

During music-and-movement time, we play uptempo pieces (for instance, reggae). That energizes the kids, and it's also great when babies and children have "the wiggles" -- pent-up energy that needs to be released through moving and dancing around.

Along the way, the children are exposed to music from different cultures, and we talk about that. They begin to respect and appreciate the world's many types of music.

Some research indicates that music primes brains for certain kinds of thinking. Adults, for instance, can do spatial tasks (like a jigsaw puzzle) more quickly after listening to classical music. Its effects on babies' abilities haven't yet been proven -- but there's no question that music can at least help establish a mood.

Whatever music you play, keep the volume moderate; an infant's hearing is delicate.

And, for variety, sometimes turn off the music and just sing to your baby -- even if you don't have a great voice. Babies love the rhythms and rhymes of songs, and even at three months can recognize melodies once they've heard them.

So go make some music for your baby!