During gestation
An unborn baby can hear Mother’s heartbeat and the melody
of her voice, according to David Chamberlain, Ph.D., author
of “The Fetal Senses: A Classical View.” Singing quiet lul-
labies comforts both and helps form a family bond. Record-
ing these lullabies and playing them at the moment of birth
and after birth makes them a familiar environment that helps
calm baby. During the birth process, other forms of music
help distract the mother from the pain of labor and delivery.
Lullabies for Little Ones
Many lullabies tend to have a tempo similar to a resting hu-
man heartbeat, about 60 to 80 beats per minute, advise mu-
sic therapists. Singing lullabies to children is a way to nurture
them and communicate our love. These gentle songs comfort
crying babies and help them feel secure when going to sleep.
Incorporating lullabies into a bedtime ritual helps ease
the transition at night or nap time. They may help if a child
wakes in the middle of the night, has a nightmare or is sleep-
ing away from home. Playing a recording of lullabies only
when nursing just before bed is conducive to sleep, as the
little one will associate music with bedtime and the comfort
of nursing. In my own experience with dozens of moth-
ers, we’ve also discovered that playing the lullabies when
weaning creates an association that can even make weaning
easier.
Crying is Musical
Crying is the beginning of speech, language and singing.
Through crying, we discover our voice and communicate
our needs. Like singing, crying has a pitch and continues
for a specific length of time. Eventually, cries become vocal
sounds, squeals and babbling.
By imitating baby’s vocal sounds, we encourage her to
vocalize even more. Before long, we’re having a conversa-
tion with our baby in nonsense words. Even very young
babies are aware of such communication, which lays the
foundation for talking and learning how to have a conversa-
tion.
We can also incorporate vocal sounds into familiar
songs. Instead of singing the words to a song, sing syllables
of ba, da, ma or la. Parents often are surprised to find their
baby singing along to the familiar “words.” Soon, baby will
combine these syllables into real words, able to communi-
cate thoughts and feelings.
Facilitate further language practice with a maturing child
by leaving out the last word of a musical phrase to a familiar
song; the child will usually fill in the word. Continue doing
this until the youngster is singing along with the entire song.
The Institute for Music and Neurologic Function notes that
music involves both sides of the brain. In an article in Voices:
A World Forum for Music Therapy, certified music therapist
Joanne Loewy explains how music helps develop speech and
language.
27
September 2008
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56