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October 11, 2019

61 Comments

Baby songs can be used for lots of different reasons – to entertain, calm a tantrum or lull a child to sleep. It’s a natural instinct and one we may not think too much about.

However, studies have shown that songs and music play an important part in a child’s brain development, health and education from their earliest years.

Baby Songs are Educational

You might not think singing The Wheels on the Bus with your baby can make much of a difference to their intelligence but there’s plenty going on there.

Repeatedly singing the words of an easy song taps the memory centre of your child’s brain and strengthens the ‘memory muscle’, it also helps to exercise lip and tongue movement.

Learning words through an easy tune can also embed information more rapidly and improve your child’s capacity for learning. A good example of this is the ABC Song which helps children to learn the alphabet. Songs like Bingo and Old MacDonald Had a Farm are also ideal for strengthening motor skills and increasing vocabulary and memory.

Baby Songs Improve Health

If you’ve ever belted out your favourite song in the shower, then you know how positive and upbeat singing makes you feel. Research has shown that singing has lots of positive health effects for children too including:

  • A calmer mental state. The simple act of singing can soothe a toddler who’s having a tantrum or help them to overcome sadness. It encourages the brain recall a calmer mental state.
  • Reduced stress. When children sing they have to breathe, and breathing makes you feel less physically stressed.
  • Improved coordination. Action songs such as If You’re Happy and You Know It and The Hokey Pokey improve coordination and help children remain active.

Singing Songs Together

Singing with other children at daycare or kindergarten is community-building. It fosters a feeling of learning together and can help children make friends. Encourage at home practice of new songs to solidify their progress and praise them whenever they remember the words without your help.

Here are some more tips to get your child singing:

  • Singing resources, such as books and CDs with activities, help children associate singing with fun games
  • Sing to your child unaccompanied so they can hear the pitch and tone of your voice
  • Sing songs with your child in different languages to foster an understanding of cultural differences
  • Make up your own songs to help children learn words they find difficult to remember
  • Encourage children to sing around the house or sing along to the radio in the car on the way to school
  • Sing them songs at bedtime so they know that it’s time to sleep
  • Enrol them in singing classes or encourage participation in the school choir and other singing groups in your area.

Song is a wonderful way to lay down fond memories and bond with your child. So is having a nappy that’s going to go the distance of a full night’s sleep. Keep your baby comfy and dry with Little One’s Nappies.

Do you sing to your child or along with them? What’s your favourite song to sing?

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  • I was always playing music when my kids were little. My eldest used to ahve her favorites and request them often. belinda Carlilie was a hit with her.

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  • It is so important for all babies & toddlers. I had a special song I sang to my grandkids when they were babies & they responded with smiles fro a very early age & down the track they would sing along with me too!

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  • My toddler loves to sing. She gets some of the words wrong but the more she listens to a song the more she picks up the right words.

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  • My kids love being sung to. Everyone should be doing this if they can

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  • my kids love the silly voices we put on whilst singing, the sillier the better!

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  • Songs can be such an enjoyable shared experience for both the adult and child. They can be fun, relaxing, educational and also a way to express something like feelings etc.

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  • Yes we always done music, we would all sit in a circle and sing songs. It’s amazing how much the babies actually get into it.

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  • I love singing my baby songs with actions. It keeps her attention longer and makes it more entertaining for me as well. Some of our favourites are open shut them, grand old duke, family fingers and of course baby shark.

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  • One of ours loved “row, row your boat” when she could sit on our legs. We would hold her hands, gently do the rowing movement and she loved it.

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  • I sang to my son from the day he was born. I believe it doesn’t matter if you don’t have the perfect singing voice as long as you sing to and with your children because music is such an important part of their education. My son has played guitar from a very early age and has a natural ability to play by ear.

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  • We sang lots of nursery rhymes to our kids when they were babies. Now music is constantly playing in our house whether it’s on the speakers or my husband playing music. Our kids love it!

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  • I fully agree that singing, especially nursery rhymes are both calming and educational. My 2 year old loves watching Play School, The Wiggles, etc and enjoys copying the actions which improves her motor skills. She sings the songs in her own indistinct language and has learned to recite 1 to 10 from these songs. When she plays up, I only have to tune into ABC iview for nursery rhymes and she immediately calms down.

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  • I remember singing with my girls when they were younger. Nursery rhymes mainly

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  • I’d sing all the time.

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  • My eldest is deaf, so we didn’t sing much till hs siblings came along.

    Reply

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