Rock-a-bye baby ...

theSun, Tue, 22 Dec 2009

All parents, whether they are musically-inclined or not, have certainly sung various songs to their children. We sing to soothe a crying baby, to rock him to sleep, to entertain and interact with him. Research has shown that singing, in actual fact, benefits the brain.
According to Kidshealth.org, a parenting website, "children who grow up hearing music, singing songs, and moving to the beat are enjoying what experts call ‘a rich sensory environment’. That’s just a fancy way of saying a child is exposed to a wide variety of tastes, smells, textures, colours, and sounds".

Researchers believe this forges more pathways, or neural connections, between the cells in their brains.

When children sing and move to music, both the left and right hemisperes of their brains are activated, stimulating learning and memory. A simple example will be the Alphabet Song – by singing it a number of times, children can memorise the entire alphabet with ease and enjoyment.

And when we put a tune to a telephone number (think of the phone number for a certain pizza company’s delivery service!), there is a higher likelihood of us remembering the number.

Not too long ago, I watched an inspirational movie, The Triumph (a.k.a. The Ron Clark Story) based on the true story of Ron Clark, an American teacher who used creative teaching methods to make a difference in the lives of his class of problematic students in Harlem. This included composing a rap song to help them remember the names of all the past presidents.

In the article Born to Sing: How Music Enriches Children’s Language Development (chicagochildrensmuseum.org/learn_sing.html), Ann Gadzikowski writes that language learning is enhanced when children experience the rhythm of music. Children’s experiences with music build vocabulary, listening skills, and language acquisition.

In studies conducted by educator Phyllis Weikert, a child’s ability to clap or tap a steady beat is directly linked to language learning. For example, clapping or tapping the rhythm of an unfamiliar word often helps children learn new vocabulary.

My Google search for more information on the benefits of singing turned up over 13 million results. In reading some of these articles, I have learnt that singing not only benefits children but adults as well.

Research conducted by scientists at the University of Frankfurt in Germany showed that singing strengthens the immune system in adults.

In another study, choir members were asked how singing affected them physically and psychologically. They reported "improved lung capacity, high energy, relieved asthma, better posture, and enhanced feelings of relaxation, mood and confidence".

Singing also reduces stress and pain, according to Patricia Preston-Roberts, a board-certified music therapist in New York City.

She said that studies have linked singing with a lower heart rate, decreased blood pressure, and reduced stress.

So, if a song wells up in your heart or a jingle keeps playing in your head, just give your vocal chords free reign, be it in the bathroom, car or kitchen.

Even if you don’t sound professional, you now know it’ll do you and your children some good.