Traditional lullaby’s and nursery rhymes are very well known. They can be educational to small children and teach them some vital skills that can benefit them within their development over time. Rock a bye baby is a popular nursery rhyme that is often used in the place of a lullaby to help sooth small children. It is well known to be sung or read to small children to help them with soothing techniques.
THE ORIGINS OF THE SONG
Although this song is known as a traditional song, there is a striking history that may date the song back to the early 1500’s. Different theories suggest that the song may have been originally titled “Hush a’ Baby”. Relatives of Davy Crockett are also mentioned in different theories as to how this song originated. The rock a bye baby lyrics also have caught a lot of gruff because they are said to be very violent. Rocking a baby from a tree top and watching it fall suggests violence. Although there are different theories and criticisms of this song, it still exists today.
SKILLS THAT ARE DEVELOPED WITH THIS SONG
This song uses simple language that is easy to understand. The simplicity of the musical component in this song creates a soothing and melodic experience for the children that hear it. Some children that hear this song might link it to a time of rest because they have heard it simply as a lullaby. This song creates a sense of security and loving characteristics. Simple actions can be done to the words of this song which helps identify the motor skills and also helps a small development of logic.
TOPICS THAT ARE EXPLORED
Although the rock a bye baby lyrics are simple, they suggest that there is a baby that is in need of being soothed. Simply stated, this is the motive of the song. Young children learn to see that caring for younger babies is important. This teaches them the basics of nurturing and actually begins to set the foundation for love and understanding. Children at such a small age can not determine that the rest of the lyrics can in fact be hurtful. When studying the lyrics, it seems as though the baby gets soothed but then falls out of the tree. This is where the traditional version of the song ends. Singing that to a small child could be very detrimental to their perception of caring. Society presents this nursery rhyme in such a way where it is a lullaby or that it is focused simply on soothing a child. It is a great nursery rhyme but depending on the way it is perceived can seem to be from a dark place.
EDUCATIONAL PERSPECTIVE
Rock a bye baby is present in many daycare’s and pre-school programs today. This song is a common nursery rhyme and teaches children how to sooth and how to natural react to soothing others. Although some controversy may exist with the song, the educational and fun components of the song outweigh the negatives and it remains a necessity in children’s development.