For years parents sang nursery rhymes like twinkle twinkle little star lyrics, to their babies. Little did they know that this type of activity has many benefits?
The Origin of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
In 1761 a Parisian by the name of, “Mr. Bouin, composed a children’s folk song in France called, “Ah yous diraj-je, maman” which roughly means, “Oh I say to you, Mum”.
20 years later Mozart created his own variations of the song, that later became Twinkle, twinkle little star.
The lyrics for the song were actually taken from an English poem originally entitled, “The Star” that was written by a 23-year-old English poet/novelist by the name of, “Jane Taylor” who lived in Shilling Street, Lavenham, Suffolk. The poem was published in a collection of poems called, “Rhymes for the Nursery”, in 1806.
It wasn’t until 1838 that the music and lyrics of the song were put together and published in a songbook called, “The Singing Master: First Class Tune Book”
Since then the song became popular throughout the world and now can be heard in almost every kindergarten class and preschool
How Singing Along With Music Benefits Your Baby
All babies (especially newborns) really enjoy music, and lullabies, especially when you sing along with them. This not only relaxes babies, but it also comforts and excites them, raises their curiosity, and teaches them memory skills.
The First Three Years of Your Babies Life
During the first three years of life, your baby will establish certain brain connections, which music can help support the formation of. According to the Chairman of the Institute of Education in the University of London, Professor Welch, singing assists with coordination, brain function and can help build self-confidence in babies.
Stimulating Early Language Development
Singing to your baby while rocking him/her, promotes a special awareness in them and supports attachment. This can also help to develop self-regulation, as well as the management of the baby’s physical needs and emotional state to where your baby will learn to calm himself/herself down. But, for the most part, singing to your baby will help stimulate language and development early.
Music Has A Way with Babies
Music has a natural way of providing babies with the concepts of math, symbolic thinking, and delivering memory skills by way of rhythmic patterns. Songs that have feeling help babies as young as 5 months old, learn about emotional experiences, which helps them to distinguish between moods such as happiness and sadness. From 8 months old, babies begin to show recognition to frequently played songs and when you sing-a-long, your baby will learn that music can be mimicked, so, don’t be surprised if he/she starts joining in and sings along with you.