Prenatal Development

This chapter considers the possibility that the origin of the musical skills of infants are partly learned before birth, as the fetus becomes familiar with the internal sound patterns of its mother's body and associates these patterns with her physical and emotional state. It begins by presenting background information about the fetal sound environment and musically relevant fetal abilities and behaviours that may be related to musical abilities as the child emerges after birth. It goes on to consider the question of how to evaluate and reconcile conflicting research findings on prenatal musicality, and concludes with specific, tentative recommendations for expectant mothers or parents interested in the musical development of their fetus.