Why Lullaby?

When I was a little girl I did not like going to bed. It was challenging to stop my mind from racing and calm myself down enough to fall asleep.  My parents would get frustrated with my “night owl” tendency. No one was getting the rest they needed; that is, until my parents and my grandmother started singing to me at night.  They stopped saying, “It’s time for bed”. They changed their tune and said, “It’s time for a quiet song. Rest your eyes” instead. I settled into my bed and listened to those beautiful voices as they lulled me to sleep. Musical memories are strong. I can still remember the songs they sang and feel the calm those lullabies brought me; soft voices, warmth, love, security, and finally a good night’s rest for everyone.

Lullabies are more than songs you sing to your children and grandchildren before they fall asleep.  Establishing a ritual of a nightly lullaby is powerful. It is also a wonderful way to bring even the busiest day to a close peacefully with love and tenderness. The quality of your voice and your singing talents is not important. Regardless of your musical abilities your voice is your child’s favorite and most recognizable voice.  In addition, there have been many studies done on how music can reduce the level of the stress hormone, cortisol, in our bodies and the music itself has a calming distressing effect.

Lullabies can strengthen the bond between parents and children.  Creating and nurturing that bond cannot be over-emphasized.  Lullabies can calm and sooth a tired or fussy child. Holding your child close and softly singing to them can help them feel secure and relaxed enough to fall asleep.  If you pay attention to your child’s sleep cues (yawning, rubbing eyes, change in their energy levels etc…) you can help them transition to a calm restful place so they can fall asleep. Singing close to their ears and head may help filter other sounds and noises that can otherwise distract your child from his rest time. You may notice that lullabies may not only sooth your child but they may be calming and comforting to you too!

Lullabies can expose your child to another level of speech and language. By singing to them you are also stimulating their listening skills and their language development.  Sometime we rock are children in our arms or stroke their body rhythmically so when you sing to your child you are providing a movement and rhythm experience as well.  You can also personalize any song by singing your child’s name.

In our Songbirds Music classes we have a ritual of singing a lullaby or quiet song together at the end of class.  Many of the children anticipate the start of the quiet song and often settle into a quiet spot by lying down on the floor, cuddling with a grownup or rocking to the music. I tell my families in class that I do not need to hear them sing but that it is important their child hears them sing. This is a song and a special moment for them and with them.

Lullabies don’t cost a thing but they can create a priceless experience for you and our child.  By establishing this nightly routine you are strengthening the attachment between you and your child while creating everlasting musical memories and you get a good night’s rest out of it too!

I sing to my daughters (ages 3 and 8) every night.  I’ve noticed that my 3 year old rests soundly shortly after I am done singing. Sometimes after I leave the room, she sings to herself or her stuffed animals in bed before falling asleep.  My eight year old and I sometime sing together. Other nights, lullaby time turns into a spontaneous conversation with my daughter where she feels calm and safe and she confides and shares her thoughts with me.  I love our nightly ritual. That’s why I lullaby. Sweet dreams.

Making Music Together: The Importance of Music

Making Music Together: The Importance of Music

We are musical beings. Our tendency to make music is universal and it transcends culture, language, religion, and every stage of our lives. As early as 5 months in utero, babies can hear their mother’s heartbeat and voice. From the time we are newborn and arguably before, playing and making music is not only all around us, it is an integral part of us.  Cooing infants, bouncing babies, singing lullabies, chanting songs in school, attending a celebration, driving to work, music is everywhere!

 Music utilizes and stimulates both sides of the brain. It is a full body experience. Outwardly it engages our voice and our bodies and inwardly it taps into our emotion and memories. We can all recall a song from our childhood. A song can make us feel happy, sad, excited or connect us to a specific moment in our lives.  Music is a way of being and a way of knowing.  Extensive research on the benefits of music has concluded that active music making supports emotional, physical, cognitive, language, and social development. Some studies have also connected music to higher academic achievement.

Culturally, music connects us to a community and allows people to interact and bond with one another. Imagine singing to your child. Think of how physically close you are when you sing. Think about how special that moment is that you are creating together.  Singing together is a beautiful way to bond with your little one.  Beyond that isolated moment, it creates harmony and possibly everlasting memories.  Singing with your child also fosters the love of making music. Only you can give your child the gift of loving music.  Singing and dancing with your child does not cost a penny but the benefits of those experiences are priceless.  Making music with your child does not require any kind of special skill or “talent”. Regardless of your musical ability, your voice is your child’s favorite voice.  Through music and musical play you encourage creativity, personal expression, and social interaction while bringing out the joy and the benefits of creating life-long music makers.

 What would an infant be able to do in a music class?  Music is a language. Although your infant does not talk back to you of course you continue to talk and read to them.  In music class we sing to our babies. They may not sing back for a while but before you know it they will coo and “ahh” to end of songs, hold onto egg shakers on their own and produce sounds, tap a drum with their curious hands and fingers, dance, and most importantly spend quality time with their favorite person – you! They will also have the opportunity to interact socially with other children (which means you get to make new friends too).  They have many opportunities to play, explore, and connect with you, other children, new spaces, instruments, and with a variety of rhythms and tonalities.  They experience and learn music through music.  Best of all, it is FUN! Now let’s make some beautiful music together.

 

Isn't it Grand!

Isn’t It GRAND!

There is nothing like the love grandparents and grand friends have for their grandchildren.  My father describes being a grandparent as “the greatest return on his investment.”  Every week more than a dozen grandparents and grand friends come to music class ready to sing, dance, and play along with their grandchildren. Some are climbing on grandpa’s back, some are bouncing on grandma’s lap, and some are sitting and singing quietly. Sometimes the children in class connect with another child’s grandparent and an organic grand friendship (in every sense of the word) blooms.  A couple of years ago, a little boy, age 3, not only loved coming to music class to sing and play but to enjoy his weekly visit with his grand friend, Grandpa Bobby.  “Hello, to the grandparents, we’re so glad to see you!”

In many classes, grandparents, parents, and children come to class together. We’ve even had a few great-grandparents attend classes.  One morning one of my students walked in and said, “Ms. Diana, did you know that I sing with Nana over the phone. I sent one of my CDs to my Nana in England so she could learn my special music. Our favorite song to sing together is May All Children”.  Multiple generations are sharing music together and bringing that harmony home.  

My own mom comes to music class with me at least once a week so I can still teach and enjoy having my little one in class with me. My mom often says it is the highlight of her week. It is the highlight of mine too. I could not ask for anything more than to share that time and music with two people who I care for so deeply. I know if my grandmother was still with us, she would be in class alongside us.

Some grandparents walk to class with their grandchildren and some drive almost an hour to share their day with their grandchildren and bring them to music class. Whenever a grandparent is visiting from out of town, they make a point to come to music class to see what their little ones are doing. They often know the songs from their own childhood and many have shared their musical memories about some of the music we sing in class. “Oh, I used to sing this when I was a first grader living in a tiny town in Pennsylvania” or “this is the lullaby I used to sing to my son when he was an infant”.  The grandparents in our classes are great participants, sometimes they add beautiful harmonies to the melodies; they even have some incredible dance moves. Our grandparents come to class with smiles on their faces and with such love and openness not just for their grandchildren but for whatever music class holds. As we say goodbye every week we look forward to making music together again, and again, and again.

Grandparents and grand friends, thank you for being a part of our musical community!

 

 

 

 

 

 

My first note from the nest. For many months I have been thinking of starting a blog. The cursor blinks, my eyes blink...maybe I'll try again tomorrow. Here we are in November. There is some movement in the nest! Time to take flight, Songbird.

November brings us the holiday of Thanksgiving. This is a time to reflect on the many things we are grateful for. I will start with my nest and the 3 wonderful people who share it with me.

My 6 year old daughter, Hannah taught me about how everybody has a "body bucket". The trick with this special bucket is trying to keep it full of goodness, love, health and happy thoughts. I am so grateful that my bucket is overflowing!

My 1 year old daughter, Bela keeps us all on our toes. She is one happy little bird who reminds me to slow down, have fun, enjoy and appreciate the simple thing in life. Thank you, baby girl.

I am grateful that my two beautiful daughters need and want their mama bird. Thank you for taking such good care of me!

My wonderful, supportive, funny, and kind husband, Aron keeps our nest safe, warm, and silly. He also fills my other nest, Songbirds Music, with endless encouragement. 

Almost 5 years ago, I flew the elementary school teacher's coop to start Songbirds Music. I am so thankful that I get to do what I love everyday! My families are amazing and I am so grateful to share my passion for working with children and my love for music and dance with them. Thank you, Songbirds Music families for helping me build by work nest bigger, better, stronger, and again, sillier every day.  Thank you for understanding that I am a mom too.

Fly with me to one more nest...San Diego. A fabulous city, filled with so many places to visit, not to mention super family (and bird) friendly. I am so grateful to be back here living close to my family, good friends, and great weather. I am one lucky bird!

"Notes from the Nest" will be a blog where I share thoughts, ambitions, events, and curiosities from home, work, and San Diego...all nests.  As I mentioned, I have been planning to do this blog for sometime. I was nervous about starting, waiting for the perfect time, worrying about what I was going to share, say, or sing. I guess my blog egg has finally hatched. 

Thank you for letting me share this with you.

From my nest to yours, Happy Thanksgiving!

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