Sound Therapy To Reduce Hyperactivity In Kids
Sound Therapy Is Natural Solution for Restlessness and Focus
Children with hyperactivity often struggle with concentration, emotional regulation and sleep. One way to deal with restlessness is by listening to music, particularly slow, sequenced, and relaxing music, which can help in adopting a better routine.
The tracks you select should have repetition, structure, and simplicity so as to generate a predictable theme and assure less sensory overload.
Grounded on sound therapy and parent-tested methods to guide the study, calm music will offer an unaggressive inner peace method.
Table of Contents
What Makes Music Calming for Children?
The Science Behind Slow Rhythms and calming songs
The music that has a beat matching the heartbeat at rest (6080 BPM) stimulates the brain to slow down and match with the beat which is referred to as entertainment. This is the reason why such a classical composition as Pachelbel Canon in D works great in soothing kids particularly those with ADHD or fearful children.
Research by UC Irvine revealed that Mozart music stimulates spatial-temporal reasoning because of mathematical accuracy. Even Mozart compositions are refiltered in the Tomatis Method to assist auditory processing in neurodivergent children.
The Decrease of Anxiety and Heart Rate through Music
A Journal of Music Therapy article published in 2020 stated that 25% of cortisol can be lowered by slow tempo instrumental music (strings and piano). Tracks like:
Meditation (violin) slow breathing by Massenet
The little blood pressure is brought down by soft instrumental music
ProTip: Add to that some deep breathing practice (4 count in, 6-count out) to boost the effectivenes
Which Sounds Work Best for Hyperactive Kids?
Lullabies and Predictable Tunes
Children with ADHD thrive on structure. Familiar lullabies like Brahms’ Lullaby ” are based on lullabies or Twinkle Twinkle Little Star which creates a predictable sound.
Real-Life Example: On Reddit, parents found that Somewhere Over the Rainbow the song performed by Israel Kamakawiwo is perfect because it has a soothing ukulele tune and it is a very uplifting song.
Nature Sounds and Backgrounds
Chaotic surroundings may be covered with pink noise (a gentler version of the white one) and natural sounds such as rain, the ocean, or birds that regulate the nervous system. A study released in Pediatrics revealed that pink noise enhanced sleep by an average of 40 percent.
Try These Combos:
Pachelbel’s Canon + Rain Sounds
Einaudi “Nuvole Bianche” Forest Birdsong
Soothing vs. Overstimulating Music: What to Avoid
Don’t listen to anything that may cause you to over stimulate:
Quick tempos > 120 BPM (e.g. Baby Shark)
Lyrics during focus time
Four dramatic soundtracks (e.g., Pirates of the Caribbean)
Exception: Others are helped by letting it out through emotional expression through loud music (e.g. Queen- I Want to Break Free) see how your child reacts to it.
Can Music Really Help with ADHD Calming and Anxiety Relief?
- Music therapy promotes emotion and neurological regulation:
- It boosts dopamine,whicht results in an increase in attention and motivating qualities.
- Increases the prefrontal cortex that improves suppression of impulses
- Encourages social engagement through group drumming or music play
Examples:
Beethoven’s Emperor Concerto strengthens memory
Drum circles build self-awareness and coordination.
What Calming Songs Should I Try First?
Popular Relaxing Songs for Kids ; Tiny Totz Kidz palylist is leading to all
Song | Why It’s Perfect for Relaxing |
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star by Tiny Totz Kidz | A gentle classic that’s been lulling little ones to sleep for generations. |
You Are My Sunshine | Sweet, familiar, and comforting — perfect for snuggles and bedtime routines. |
Somewhere Over the Rainbow | Israel Kamakawiwoʻole’s version is soft, dreamy, and filled with warmth. |
Baby Mine (from Dumbo) | A tender lullaby that brings quiet tears and peaceful sighs — great for winding down. |
Lullaby (Goodnight, My Angel) | Billy Joel’s heartfelt piano ballad — soothing for both kids and grown-ups. |
Rainbow Connection | Magical and mellow — Kermit the Frog sings this with so much calm and wonder. |
A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes | A Disney favorite that feels like a musical hug before bed. |
Peace Like a River | A soft spiritual with easy-to-follow lyrics — ideal for calming fussy moods. |
Lavender’s Blue | A gentle, lilting lullaby with old-time charm and soothing melody. |
Rock-a-Bye Baby | A timeless nursery tune that signals “time to sleep” like nothing else. |
How to Use Music Mindfully with Kids
Simple Breathing or Listening Exercises
“5-4-3-2-1” Grounding Game:
Play soft classical or ambient music
Ask: Name 5 sounds, 4 colors, 3 textures, etc. they observe
“Musical Statues”:
Pause music randomlyIn this game, children must freeze when the music stops, which promotes impulse control in a fun and engaging way.
Build a calming music routine for home with consistent use
Tips for Parents Starting a Music Ritual
Choosing the Right Time and Setting
Car rides: Use Enya’s “Orinoco Flow” to ease overstimulation.
Busy settings: Try noise canceling headphones + soothing tracks
Letting Your Child Guide the Playlist
Empower your child by letting them:
Pick 3 songs for bath, bedtime, or quiet time
Rate songs with emojis to express how each makes them feel
Signs the Music Is Working
Look for:
Physical: Relaxed shoulders, deeper breathing, slower blinking
Behavioral: Quieter play, smoother transitions, reduced interrupting
Last Thoughts: The significance of calming music
Calming music is more than just background sound, but its a science-backed tool to help hyperactive children feel grounded ,focused, and emotionally balanced.
With the right selection of songs played at the right time, you can have a good environment that consists of safe and predictable sounds which can help you sleep better, which can help you resolve anxiety and enhance the resilience of your emotions. It all depends on what sounds you are using: background classical, ambient lo fi or natural one but what is important to remember is that it needs to be consistent and mindful.
A systemic regulation strategy should combine breathing, aromatherapy (lavender), or intensive work (such as carrying a backpack).