The researchers examined the responses of 120 babies aged six to 14 months as they watched a children’s opera performed at a concert hall. (Image: Shutterstock)
This new study is garnering a lot of attention even in the field of healthcare because of the interesting finds
A fascinating new study reveals that babies watching a live baby opera exhibit higher engagement and a more synchronized heart rate compared to those watching a recorded version of the same performance. The study, conducted by researchers from the University of Toronto Scarborough, suggests that babies are influenced by the live show experience, including the interaction between musicians and the audience, as well as the social aspect of being in a crowd.
Baby Opera is a unique online production combining animation and live-action performances specifically designed for children under the age of four.
Laura Cirelli, assistant professor in the department of psychology and co-author of the study published in the journal Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity and the Arts, comments, “It speaks to the shared experience.”
The researchers found that the heart rates of babies watching the live performance showed similar patterns of acceleration and deceleration as other babies in the audience.
Cirelli recalls moments when the babies would be captivated by the show, experiencing uninterrupted bursts of attention, even in the midst of distractions within the concert hall.
Socialization plays a vital role in childhood development as it lays the foundation for future life skills and abilities. Cirelli emphasizes that music can be a powerful tool in building these important bonds.
The study demonstrates that infants engage with the music and connect with their fellow audience members even in a community setting.
The study involved 120 babies aged six to 14 months who watched a children’s opera performed at a concert hall. Of the participants, 61 watched the live performance, while 59 watched a recorded version. Heart monitors and tablets were used to capture the babies’ responses, specifically tracking their attention towards the stage.
The findings reveal that the live performance held the attention of the babies for 72% of the 12-minute duration, whereas the recorded version only captured their attention for 54%. The live show also resulted in longer periods of continuous attention.
Cirelli concludes, “Even young babies who may not have experienced music in a community setting before are already more engaged when it is delivered live.”
The researchers clarify that virtual performances are not necessarily boring for babies. During the pandemic, they observed that babies watching recordings at home via Zoom paid as much attention as those attending the live event. However, they were more prone to distractions and had shorter bursts of attention.
While the babies at home were in their comfort zone without the distractions of a new environment, their level of attention still did not match that of the live audience, highlighting the superior quality of attention in the live show setting.
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – PTI)
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