Lullabies are Love Songs

There's something sacred and ceremonial about nighttime rituals, and our children thrive on rituals. Whether your child is the one who refuses to give way to bedtime or is the one who cooperatively welcomes it, the time you spend with your child just before she falls asleep is a bittersweet one. There's a sense of a day's work done as you lovingly tuck her in at night. And at the same time, there's hope for tomorrow as your child experiences yet a new day's growth, development and learning.

As you tuck your child in tonight, I hope you'll take advantage of the bonding experience of nighttime rituals, and include singing a song or two of lullabies from your Kindermusik CD collection.

"I believe it is important for us to reflect upon the value of singing before sleeping. Giving children a rhythmic, regular organisation to their day, then bringing them to the threshold of the night with songs that carry a lilting rhythm within their melodies, sets the stage for healthy, peaceful sleep. In addition to the harmonising effect that all rhythm and singing has on our physiological processes, a softly sung, love-filled lullaby supports a child emotionally, helping him or her toward balance and peace," Michaela Glöckler, M. D.

If you'd like to read more of what Dr. Glöckler has to share, you can read the full article here: Lullabies are Love Songs. It's beautifully written and presents some interesting perspectives on the phsiological and emotional benefits of singing lullabies to our children, including the "positive influence of music, especially the music of Bach and Mozart, upon brain development, health and intelligence."

Happy dreaming!