Why you should sing to your baby

THERE was a hugely positive article in The Guardian recently which said that singing to your baby could help them develop their language skills.

After a humorous piece on Parentdish poking fun at music groups and their apparently 'barmy' ways, this was a very welcome read!

Too much focus is  on reading, writing and numeracy, while there's not enough on the benefits of singing, said Sally Goddard Blythe, a consultant and director of the Institute for Neuro-Physiological Psychology.

She adds: "Singing traditional lullabies and nursery rhymes to babies and infants before they learn to speak, is "an essential precursor to later educational success and emotional wellbeing", argues Blythe in a book. "Song is a special type of speech. Lullabies, songs and rhymes of every culture carry the 'signature' melodies and inflections of a mother tongue, preparing a child's ear, voice and brain for language."

In the article, Daniel Dwase, editor of the online Child Development Guide, agreed nursery rhymes set to music can help a child's development. Teaching a child to dance is also important, he said.

"Music assists in the development of a child's speech," he said. "Singing nursery rhymes and simple songs teaches children how language is constructed and assists with the acquisition of language. Singing songs with your child will also teach them about tone, beat and rhythm.

Meanwhile, over on Parentdish, the fun and humorous piece claimed people running music groups were delightfully barmy. Who knows, perhaps some of us are - but I hope not too many!

Writer Pip Jones says:

The multi-coloured hair and polka dot tights are easier to get your head around when you realise even a single hour of nursery rhymes is going to leave at least one of those repetitive tunes going round and round (and round) in your head for the rest of the day.

The only antidote I found to this was to go straight home and listen to Frank Sinatra singing Fly Me to the Moon. That also played on an internal loop, but it was preferable to Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.

Now, while I am sure some parents have experienced this, I hope potential attendees don't tarnish all music groups with the same brush.
 
Possibly because Musical Minis is focused on child development rather than musical education we  certainly wouldn't single out carers to join in and perform solos!
 
We agree strongly with Pip that original lyrics to nursery rhymes are the ones to use. Nursery rhymes are an important part of our heritage and culture and continuing the teaching of these should be seen as positive.
 
Overall, we'd also say in response to the piece, groups are a great way for mums to interact with their children – and it's better than plonking them in front of the TV.  We have many mums who say friends they met at Musical Minis have become friends for life, we really hope that mums wouldn't be afraid of coming alone.
 
And of course, after 21 successful years we can breathe a huge sigh of relief that not everyone has shared the same experience as the author.

In fairness, while Pip says some of the aspects of attending such sessions leave her exasperated, she agrees with the experts about the point of spending your time in this way:

And those babies, they do blummin' well love it (which is why you'll keep going back). 

 

 

Comments

[KimTheBookWorm]

Hi Karen, I've always sung to Oliver since he was a little baby. It's amazing how many things you can get to rhyme with nappy and poo! Our favourite song was and still is "you are my sunshine". He's three and a half now and the first time he sung it back to me was amazing! I always remember a friend of mine who is a speech and language therapist telling that singing is a great way of speech development from a very early age.

[PipsJones]

Hello! I am author of the Parentdish article and your post found me...yes, I did poke fun a bit! But it was written a little tongue in cheek and from the perspective of a brand new mummy thrust into the world of everything baby. In reply to Karen above, I also sang my daughters You Are My Sunshine! Ava sings it now. She also knows the words to Fly Me to the Moon (she is two and a half, she's so ready for Sinatra). I always did and still do take my babies to singalongs, I always felt a bit silly, but I loved it because they loved it and still do. And I don't think I was out of turn talking about how mad it feels when you first start, and I did meet some delightfully bonkers Auntie Jellies! I applaud all who run the groups, you do a terrific service!

Pip

[Karen]

Kim, I love 'You are my Sunshine'. My Grandma always used to sing it. Perhaps we should add it to our Musical Minis sessions as we don't use it at the moment.

Hi Pip - thanks for dropping by and commenting - I thought your piece was very well written and certainly raised a smile but from Musical Minis' point of view I felt it was also a good idea to perhaps say a little more. Have you seen the post by Hazel about Musical Minis isn't just for babies and toddlers? If so you will have seen Hazel doesn't share your views! Looking forward to seeing lots more talking points from you.