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A new book is claiming that traditional lullabies and rhymes help prepare children’s brains for learning language. Sally Goddard Blythe, director of the Institute for Neuro-physiological Psychology, says that singing to your children every day will help them avoid developing language problems later in life. Too much focus is placed on reading and numeracy in young children, according to Blythe, and too little on the benefits of singing.

Sing before they speak

Blythe argues in her book The Genius of Natural Childhood that singing traditional nursery rhymes and lullabies to babies before they learn to speak is ‘an essential precursor to later educational success and emotional wellbeing.’ She says that the lullabies, rhymes and songs of every culture mirror the inflections of a mother tongue, preparing young children’s brains, ears and voice for language.

Both sides of the brain

Traditional songs, says Blythe, help children to think in words, and singing along to songs and rhymes develops both sides of the brain. ‘Neuro-imaging has shown that music involves more than just centralised hotspots in the brain, occupying large swathes on both sides.’

Language difficulties common

According to the National Literacy Trust, increasing numbers of children starting nursery and school have inadequate language skills. The Trust attributes this to the fact that parents aren’t doing enough to help their children develop communication skills.

Blythe believes that the most effective way to foster communication skills in children is to sing to them when they are babies, and sing with them as they learn to speak. ‘Children’s response to live music is different from recorded music. Babies are particularly responsive when the music comes directly from the parent. Singing along with a parent is for the development of reciprocal communication,’ she says.

If you’d like to try out Blythe’s theory for yourself, the V&A Museum of Childhood has a list of traditional lullabies and rhymes to get you started.

Tags: music, Parenting