Advice to Mothers

Music is such an important part of life. We use music everyday. Whether we listen to it on the radio, as a soundtrack to a movie or tv show, or simply for pleasure. Some of us even play music on various instruments, sing, or compose music - for fun and for a living.

But how do you use music with infants?

The experts have said that infants love the sound of music - specifically the sound of their mother’s and father’s voices singing to them. It doesn’t have to be good - it just has to be singing. I started singing to my son when I was feeding him. While he eats, I sing to him. I change words around to various songs to mean something to me, and to him. I sing the “Goodnight Sweetheart” song to him, but change the words around. I sing all kinds of songs to him while he is eating. Sometimes I even sing to him to calm him down. Even though his father doesn’t sing well, I have caught him singing to our son. Our son loves the sound, he calms right down and smiles. Sometimes he lets out that baby sigh that is so adorable and starts to cuddle into you. It is relaxing for all of us.

But you can use music in more ways that that. Here are some things you can do with music.

1. Pull out the pots/pans or silverware/dishes and play beats on them. Or you can play music behind you and bang on the pots to the beat of the music.

2. Put on random songs and dance. Either as a show for your kids, or with your kids. The motion soothes them.

3. Play classical music as a background when you are playing. Sometimes simply having music on in the house is the best way to introduce them to music.

4. Play muscial games like “Head-Shoulders-Knees and Toes,” or “Pop Goes the Weasel” in order to teach concepts to your children.

5. Have them sit on your lap and bang at the piano. I do this on a regular basis, and he loves it. It is introducing him to sound and music without any structure around it. Now, when he sees a piano, he wants to go bang on it. It is very cute.

All you really have to do is make it a part of your life. Music can be such a great thing, every child should be introduced to it. It is a learning tool, and a bonding tool. Have fun, and introduce your child to music early and often.

Trackback URI | Comments RSS