Part 8
Music definitely is something that a baby and the whole family can enjoy together. Sing-alongs blend the sounds of the different generations and build memorable experiences. Internalizing the musical sounds is beneficial. It’s a pleasurable time that will deepen the social-emotional bonds for all who are involved. This is true – that’s for sure!
What else is happening in the baby’s brain? Their brain is using music in multiple ways throughout their early development. One important contribution of music is how it expands their knowledge of words and supports their speech production. “Speech and music unite in the form of song. Human speech and music both use characteristics of pitch, loudness, duration and timbre to communicate with the audience.” stated Dr. Jaan Ross of Estorian Academy of Music and Theater.
Nursery rhymes, songs and poems can be introduced to a baby and sung throughout their childhood. Learning is taking place every second during Music Time. Try to be consistent in the way each song is presented – timing, words and motions. The baby brain thrives on repetition. Go ahead now – AND hop on the band wagon – just sing away!
Familiar Songs & Nursery Rhymes & Lullabies
This short song called Pat-a-Cake does have actions. In the beginning a young baby may just wiggle or clap along as the parent sings and does the movements. Much later the baby will try to do more with the parent as their coordination skills improve.
Pat-a-Cake Actions
Hand motions – baby watches in beginning
First 2 lines
Parent claps putting their own 2 hands together, keeping the beat of the rhyme.
3rd line
Parent rolls hands sideways around each otherAND pats top of left hand with their right hand AND traces letter B in the air
4th line
Parent acts like putting cake in oven And when singing “Baby and me” hold arms as if rocking a baby
baby Additional motions (older baby/child is facing.parent).
First 2 lines
Hands crisscross – a parents’ right hand, touches /claps. The child’s right hand — next switch hands -a parent’s left hand – crosses to touch/clap the child’s left hand.3rd and 4th same as above except both the parent and baby make the motions
Open Shut Them is an interactive fun song to add to your baby’s song list. It uses hand motions with the lyrics to teach body parts. There are different versions of this familiar tune, below is one of the more popular ones.
Open, Shut Them Actions
Parent-set up to get ready- start with both hands made into fists
1st 2nd lines -open both hands at same time and close hands – repeat for a second time Followed by a clap
3rd-4th lines
Repeat hand movements used first line Followed by hands going on lap
5th 6th 7th lines
Wiggle fingers on both hands – moving them slowly up sides body from lap, up to chin (spider like)
Last 2 lines
Open mouth, shake head meaning no- while fingers still near mouth
Baby may just watch, wiggle, make sounds or clap until ready to do some of the motions.
Hickory, Dickory, Dock is a familiar Mother Goose rhyme. Babies do like the pace and actions. Since it’s short it provides an opportunity to repeat it more than once during Music Time.
Hickory, Dickory Dock Actions
Parent-set up to get ready-
Place left arm horizontal in front of chest, place right arm with elbow on top of left hand, point up with right hand vertically with all fingers pointing up The right arm acts as a ticking pendulum – on a clock.
1st line
right arm, fingers point up, swings back and forth
2nd line
use left hand/fingers to represent a little mouse and have it run up your right arm while singing
3rd line
pointer finger on right hand goes up into the air, to represent the number 1
4th line
left hand (mouse) runs back down right arm
5th line
repeat movements used in line 1
Baby may just watch, wiggle, make sounds or clap until ready to do some of the motions.
Dr. Anita Collins in her book titled, The Music Advantage summed up the importance of singing, “For a baby, sound is music and music is information, and song is far more interesting thanspeech. Why? Because speech at this time in their lives is a group of sounds that make no sense, whereas a song has a lot more variation and information because of the inclusion of rhythm and melody to the speech.” With that in mind, here are three “Home Grown” originals I’ve written to be used during an interactive Music Time.
It’s Time to Wash
(tune: Mary Had A Little Lamb)
Singing—what a marvelous way to interact with your baby. It helps the baby brain learn vocabulary, motor skills and understand the routines of a day. Sing away with your little one!
Happy days to you,
Kylene
” Music has a poetry of its own, and that poetry is called melody.”
Joshua Logan, musical writer
Collins, Anita, Ph D, (2021), The Music Advantage, How Music Helps Your Child DEVELOP, LEARN and THRIVE, Chapter 2 – Why your baby responds to music, Publisher: TarcherPerigee
Gaddy, Jayne, Clinical Psychologist, (2017), Music and Your Infant’s Brain Development,
https://www.jaynegaddy.com/single-post/2018/03/15/music-and-your-infants-brain-development
Ross, Jaan, Dr. (2023), Science of Singing: When speech and music combine, Estorian Academy of Music and Theater,
www.researchoutreach.org
ScienceDaily, (2022), Sensitivity to musical rhythm supports social development in infants, Vanderbilt University Medical Center,
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/11/221102123611.htm
Wallden, Krista, Creative Clips, clipart,
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Krista-Wallden-Creative-Clips
