December Digital Sampler - Mother&Baby

GET IN TUNE
Sing your baby
HAPPY
Jingle bells at the ready, there’s a very easy way
to put a smile on your youngster’s face
MEET THE
EXPERT
Tiffany Drake
is a music therapist
and mum of four
The strong
rhythm of O Come,
All Ye Faithful works a
treat to make getting
dressed more fun: ‘O come
and get dressed now,
Time to put your clothes on,
Let’s put on your
T-shirt…’
What’s your favourite-ever
Christmas tune? Whether
you’re a fan of Justin
Bieber or Bing Crosby,
or you prefer a carol to a
pop classic, just thinking
about your number one song means you’ll
probably be feeling a teeny-tiny bit happier
right now. Singing it out loud would have an
even more powerful effect, and it’s the same
for your baby. Hearing you sing, and joining in
however she chooses, makes her happier too.
There are all sorts of other benefits: singing
is a brilliant way for you to bond with her,
it can calm her and encourage her to
co-operate. It will help develop her social
and communication skills as well as her
co-ordination and brain development. And
this will all contribute to how content
she’s feeling. Yes, this year, singing
those Christmas carols is about
much more than just getting
into the festive spirit.
ALL TOGETHER…
We know that singing
improves mood, but doing
it with someone else lifts
emotions even more. So
encourage your youngster
and other family members
to join in, however they like.
Scientists have shown that the
benefits are the same, regardless
of whether you have X-Factor potential
or frankly can’t hold a tune in a bucket!
Even if your baby isn’t old
enough to add her voice to
yours yet, she’ll still feel the
benefits. When you sing,
your brain releases the
‘happy hormones’ oxytocin
and endorphins, reducing
anxiety and helping you
relax. And since your child
is highly intuitive to your
mood, she will pick up on
this and relax too. These
hormones are also key players
in forming your bond with your
baby. Music positively affects your
brain in areas related to empathy,
connection and trust, so sharing
it through singing with your
youngster really binds you together.
LET’S DO THIS!
Your baby prefers to listen to you
singing rather than talking – fact.
Research shows we mums sing in a
very particular way when we warble
Time for a
nappy change?
Try mixing up Rudolph
The Red Nose Reindeer:
‘(Baby’s name) my
gorgeous baby has a very
tickly tum, and every time
he giggles, I’m a really
happy mum!’
OVER TO
YULE!
Have you made
up your very
own Christmas
song? Tell us at
facebook.com/
motherandbaby
Baby&Toddler
to our own babies, and this captures their
attention, delighting and soothing them. So,
when you’ve got something to say, try singing it.
If she’s at the toddler stage and a bit too
fond of saying ‘no!’ when it comes to everyday
tasks, you might find she’s more co-operative
if you make your request via a song. Persuading
your youngster to put a coat on might be a
regular issue in your house. But turn the task
into a song, and you’ll probably skip over
much of her resistance. For a start, she’ll be
keener to listen because you are singing rather
than saying the words. And, once you’ve done
it a few times, she’ll make a strong musical
memory and know what’s about to happen.
Try the following words to the tune of
Once In Royal David’s City:
Now it’s time to get your coat on
Wrap up warm, we’re off outside
Let’s go on a winter-time adventure
Wonder what we will find
Is there snow or is there ice?
Who’s put on their Christmas lights?
Using song will add some fun to everyday
jobs too. If your youngster isn’t too keen
to help tidy her toys away, take the tune of
Jingle Bells and add these words:
Tidy up! Tidy up!
Time to clear away
Let’s tidy all these toys away
And play another day, oh!
She might not join in singing just yet, but she
will join in. You might notice that she drops
her toys into her toy box in time to the song.
And as she needs to regulate her movement to
do this, she’ll be far more involved
and enjoy the challenge.
SING AND SOOTHE
Singing calms both you and
your baby, so it can take
the tension away from
what might normally be
a fraught moment in your
day. Simply singing a first
line, followed by some
humming, will make a big
difference. If she’s not so keen
on bathtime, try singing I’m
dreaming of a clean baby to the tune
of I’m Dreaming Of A White
Christmas. And try mixing up
Silent Night at bedtime to lull your
youngster with a lilting tune:
Silent night, time to sleep tight
All is calm, dim the light
Time to lay down your sleepy head
Snuggle down in your cosy, warm bed
Sleep in cosy peace, sleep in soft peace
She might just settle to sleep
with a little smile still on her face.
WORDS TIFFANY DRAKE PHOTOGRAPHY ADOBE STOCK
42 | 2017 | motherandbaby.co.uk
motherandbaby.co.uk | December 2017 | 43