Sing to the child
When small one was very very small, I would sing him to sleep, while rocking him with a slight bouncing-walk motion. Those who subscribe to any routine-y method for newborns would gasp in horror there, I guess. My shock was how frequently I would have to sing out loud, often in semi-public places, to get my newborn to be calm.
However, I have always believed that singing is good for kids, and hence their carers, if you mean it. A research project at UWS - reported at the source below - involves investigating why it is that singing to a child to elicit emotional responses works so well. I wonder what they will find. To sing is to be?
Back to small one. You are my sunshine is one song that was on high rotation for some time. Today, after reading about the research of singing it for the kids, I remembered that I could try it, even though he’s well past newbornhood. I opted to replace pleas of
Please, small one, do a poo. It’s good for you.
or
Please, small one, don’t run away just because it’s fun to watch my scared face over your shoulder as you dash.
with You are my sunshine.
It delivered some positive outcomes. The teeth were cleaned, bath participated in and bed complied with, sans cries of
I don’t like it.
For today at least. After the seventh rotation this evening, small one himself was singing
Please don’t take
My sunsine away.
(Source: smh.com.au)
