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The Benefits of Classical Music for Preschool-Aged Children (Ages 3–5)

5/25/2025

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Illustration of a grand piano

Why I Started Playing Classical Music for My Child

I've always heard that playing classical music for children could benefit their development, but I never really understood why or how it worked. Still, I decided to trust this advice and began playing classical music regularly around my son from the time he was born. My husband mentioned that Baroque classical music was particularly beneficial for concentration and studying.  This inspired me to integrate more classical selections into our daily routines, especially during times when my son was learning letters and numbers at a very young age.
Young child wearing black headphones while reading a book, lying comfortably on a pillow--illustrating focused learning or the calming effect of music during reading.

How Classical Music Benefits Early Childhood Development

Recently, a friend asked me why I chose this strategy, and honestly, I felt like my explanation wasn't thorough enough. This prompted me to dive deeper into the topic, and I used a detailed research prompt on ChatGPT to get some clarity. The insights I received were incredibly enlightening!

Here's what I learned from various cited sources:
​
  • Classical music, especially complex pieces from composers like Mozart and Bach, significantly enhances cognitive functions and brain development in young children.
  • It fosters creativity and cognitive flexibility, especially when kids engage in arts and crafts.
  • Regular exposure to classical music can improve foundational skills related to literacy and math. It helps kids understand and retain letters, numbers, and patterns better.
  • Classical music positively impacts mood, focus, and emotional self-regulation, creating a calming and conducive learning environment.

Because this information was so beneficial, I've compiled it into a detailed PDF report. I wanted to share it with all of you, hoping it might be as useful to your families as it was to mine.

You can click the link below to access and download the full report:

Download the Full PDF Report on Classical Music Preschool Benefits

Build Your Go-To Classical Music Playlist

If you’ve ever wondered what classical music to play while your child is learning, playing, or winding down, I’ve put together a brief selection below to help get you started. These pieces are not only beautiful to listen to, but they also support focus, creativity, and emotional regulation during early childhood.

I originally created a playlist on Spotify with some of our favorites. Over time, I’ve been building on it by asking Siri to play radio stations based on specific songs. If I hear something new that catches my ear, I either make a note to add it to the list or simply say, “play more songs like this.”
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Whether you're homeschooling, teaching, or just trying to create a calm, enriching atmosphere for children, these selections can truly elevate everyday moments.
Young girl wearing headphones and engaging with a laptop in a colorful home learning environment, suggesting interactive online learning or music-based education for early learners.

Best Classical Music Pieces for Preschool Learning

Over time, we've discovered a few classical pieces that have become household favorites—ones that are not only enjoyable to listen to but also enhance our daily learning and play routines. These selections are calming, engaging, and beautifully support our little ones' early education journey.

Our Favorite Classical Pieces for Preschool Learning:

  • Yo-Yo Ma – Bach’s Unaccompanied Cello Suites
    Deep, warm, and calming—these solo cello pieces are perfect for quiet learning moments like tracing letters, reading time, or night-time routines.
 
  • Dirk Maassen – “Peace of Mind”
    Gentle, emotional piano that helps create a peaceful learning environment without being distracting. We often play this during art lessons and calm-down time.
 
  • Francesco Maria Veracini – “Ouverture No. 6 in G Minor: III. Allegro”
    Lightly energetic and focused. Great background music for hands-on tasks like building blocks, counting games, or puzzles.
 
  • Erik Satie (Arr. Kaori Muraji) – “Gnossienne No. 1”
    Soft and slightly whimsical, this guitar arrangement is wonderful for morning art activities or winding down at the end of the day.
 
  • Johann Sebastian Bach – “Violin Concerto in A Minor, BWV 1041” (Joshua Bell performance)
    Bright and structured, this is one of our go-to pieces when our son is practicing his early math lessons, handwriting and puzzles.
Additional Classical Pieces to Consider:
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  • “Carnival of the Animals” by Camille Saint-Saëns
    Beautiful, calm and familiar. Great for arts and crafts, sorting objects and creative drawing.
 
  • “Peter and the Wolf, Op.67” by Sergei Prokofiev
    A captivating musical tale where each character is represented by a different instrument—perfect for helping young children connect sounds with storytelling and explore the orchestra in a fun, engaging way.
 
  • Selections from The Nutcracker Suite by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
    Magical and imaginative—perfect for holiday learning units or dramatic play.
 
  • Mozart’s “Eine Kleine Nachtmusik”
    Light and lively—great for activities that require focus and concentration.
​
  • Bach’s “Brandenburg Concertos”
    These have consistent rhythms and structure—great for art time, sensory bins, or small-group play.
Mother and child sitting on the floor, happily coloring together with crayons and a coloring book, fostering creativity and bonding through play-based learning.
Movie-Inspired Classical Pieces for Creative Play

While these aren’t traditional classical pieces, they’re beautifully composed and full of imagination—perfect for dramatic play, thoughtful conversations and curiosity-driven exploration:
​
  • “Theme from Jurassic Park” by John Williams
    This personal favorite inspires wonder and imagination—excellent for dinosaur-themed activities or Hot Wheels track building.
 
  • “Ratatouille Main Theme” by Michael Giacchino
    Playful and full of movement—fun to play during pretend cooking, crafts, or snack prep.
 
  • “Storybook” from Christopher Robin by Geoff Zanelli & Jon Brion
    A soft, nostalgic piece that pairs beautifully with reading, independent play or winding-down.
 
  • “Hedwig’s Theme” from Harry Potter by John Williams
    Iconic and magical—great for sparking imagination. Great background music for discussions and clean-up time.

Overall, I’m Happy We Made Classical Music Part of Our Daily Life

Classical music has become such a meaningful part of our daily rhythm, and it’s something I’m grateful to have leaned into early on. Whether it’s playing softly in the background while we work on letters, sparking creativity during art time, or simply helping us all feel a little more calm and connected, it’s been a quiet but powerful tool in our learning journey. I hope this post gives you a few new ideas and a little encouragement to explore classical music in your own home or classroom.

​Lastly, if you have favorite pieces or composers you love, I’d really love to hear about them in the comments below!

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Have you tried playing classical music for your children? 
 What has their response been like?

Have you noticed a difference in your child’s focus, mood, or creativity
when music is playing in the background?

Which classical pieces or composers are your
personal favorites to listen to with your children?

Do you use music during specific activities like
​reading, art time, or transitions?
I’d love to know what works for you.

Are there any beautiful or unexpected classical tracks
you think I should add to my playlist?
Please share them below!
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vintage sheet music

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