Babies love it when we sing to them, no matter how tone-deaf you may be.
But singing to your child isn't just about having fun. According to research, singing to babies helps to calm babies more than regular speaking does.
It's all about rhythms and patterns within music.
When you think about it, your baby’s earliest beginnings were based on rhythm: your heartbeat represented a non-stop rhythmical beat that your baby slept, ate and played along with. It makes perfect sense that music should continue to have a positive effect on them when they are born.
But singing isn't only good for keeping your tot calm. Here are a few other ways in which babies benefit from a melodious mum...
It makes transitions smoother
Babies feel safe when life is predictable. A song for waking up, sleeping and other routine transitions and activities helps them to know what's coming next.
It helps them learn new words
Singing is a great way to teach your child new words. Holding up a stuffed dog as you sing about a dog helps your baby to associate the name of that toy with the words you sing. And they're more likely to pay attention when there's a bit of melody to what you're saying.
It teaches them rhythm and melody
Singing to our kids offers a general introduction to music and melody, although their noisy beginnings in the womb mean that all babies are innately musical to some extent. This makes them primed and ready to go when it comes to introducing new melodies to them.
It helps to boost your connection
Conversation with babies is great for bonding, but singing makes that connection more meaningful. That's because when you sing, you tend to sing together, and not take it in turns. Your little one will likely join in when they're old enough.
It gets everyone moving
Most kids' songs are action songs, which are great for increasing their motor skills as kids won't be able to resist moving their hands and fingers, knees and toes along with the music.
It's fun!
While singing is great for calming things down, it can also ramp up the fun factor. This is especially true if you add songs to everyday activities - cooking, tidying up, driving. It doesn't matter if you can't think of a song, either. You can use a sing-song voice and baby will enjoy it just as much.
SHARE if you love a good sing-song with baby.
