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Singing for Health & Happiness Blog May 11

Singing for Health & Happiness

Both research and experience tells us that music is good for babies, children and adults. We're not talking about formal music training here, but music and song in the widest sense, be it listening to Mozart in the car, counting songs at the bus stop, singing in the bath or a lullaby at bedtime.

So what role does music play in a child's development?

Research has shown that children who are 'at home' with ideas of rhyme and verse, do better when learning to read and write so strong emphasis on this from infancy can support children's later success in literacy. This has been reinforced by more recent research through the government funded organisation and charity Youth Music. It's because of these links that the government's review of Music Education reported in February 2011 that "Singing should be an important part of every child’s school life from Early Years through until at least Key Stage 3."  It is thought that singing songs with rhyme, repetition and actions helps children to recognise sound patterns and sentence structure, develop memory skills, increase their vocabulary, concentrate and improve their co-ordination and motor skills.

As they grow, young children's personal social and emotional development still benefits from music - be it through collaboration in dance, singing or musical games. Music is a strong motivator and an invaluable learning tool to develop awareness of culture/ethnic diversity, social awareness, and to support learning in the widest sense, across the curriculum. It can also play a major role in raising self-esteem and self confidence in children. The knock on effect of this on a child's overall development can be enormous.

Music opens up channels of communication to children who suffer speech and language delay, or where they are in an environment where their native language is not generally spoken, or where other disorders such as Autism or Aspergers Syndrome can affect relationships with others. Children experiencing difficulty in taking turns in a conversation can often come in 'on cue' when the setting is a song, rather than a spoken conversation, and so singing can provide them with the 'rehearsal experience' they need to practice communicating through speech. Similarly rhyme and verse together with predictable patterns provide and ideal 'training ground' for children for whom speech does not come easily.

It's fun, it's free, it's natural and it's nurturing!

You don't need special skills or expensive equipment, just enthusiasm and a voice. Learn a few songs and you're away! Don't worry what you sound like, children aren't critical, and they love to hear you sing. Adding actions and movement makes it all the more fun and you can incorporate songs into all aspects of looking after children. Singing with babies and children helps to create a warm and positive atmosphere and helps parents and carers to bond with children. It helps ease stressful moments throughout the day and night and can attract children's attention, being used as a diversion during changes from one activity to another or when children become fractious. Music can also increase group/family cohesion and provide a means of celebrating special occasions.

Music for Health and Happiness?

It is just as important to sing or hum during a nappy change, a fractious car journey, or while standing waiting for a bus, or after sharing a book together, as it is to have a set 'music time' in the child's day - make music part of their life.

Music lifts spirits, (both yours and your child's) and helps children to burn off energy. Many adults who come to Piccolo comment on how much they themselves enjoy the session, and how much better they feel after a good sing, however little sleep they may have had! It is thought that singing triggers the release of endorphins in the body, the chemicals which make us feel good. Parents and carers who meet together to sing report possitive effects from the experience as well as benefitting from support and friendship.

Sing to wind down...

What better way to chill out, than to sing quiet and calming songs? This pacifies both adults and children and is the perfect way of moving from day to night, a warm, comforting and special time to share with children, which you and they will cherish. Whatever tantrums or tears you have been through, a lullaby washes them away and gently eases them into sleep-time. For adults, we still enjoy 'relaxing' music to help us wind down, and this is because the effect is so marked. Develop that effect with your child and you will all benefit.

Anna Scantlebury & Abi Cotton

Anna and Abi run Piccolo Music, original singing and music sessions for people with babies and children under 5. Piccolo is well known for its award winning CDs and resources for babies and children: traditional and original songs - lively, yet easy on the ear for parents. It offers the "Liveliest Live music sessions for Little ones and Everyone", full of fun and laughter, adored by families in the North East of England. Piccolo is also in demand for its inspirational Early Years and Workplace training and consultancy. Please visit  www.piccolomusic.co.uk for more information.

Many thanks Anna & Abi x