Music is an important part of developing the baby brain. I just read an insightful book: Developing Young Minds: From Conception to Kindergarten by Dr. Shore. I hope this project can collaborate with other musical initiatives, along with other parental counciling—from the maternity ward up until the child is at least five—the foundation years. Bravo for making a positive difference.
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I posted a similar comment as nrbsr, but apparently the NYT thinks one is enough. My daughter is one year old this week and I have sung her to sleep literally every night of her life. And no I am not a single father.
Keep singing! Music is a good for brain development. Playing music too—try Bach for Baby CD. Read the new book Developing Young Minds From V=Conception to Kindergarten by Rebecca Shore.
I made up songs for my son when he was a baby as I tried, mostly successfully, to lull him to sleep. I still remember one or two. And, they did soothe me as well as my baby.
Thank you for reminding me of those (now) sweet days~
Thank you for reminding me of those (now) sweet days~
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What a beautiful collaboration between different disciplines for the purpose of deepening the mother/child bond and healing for the mothers. These lullabies are regulating for both mother and child and form beautiful, embodied memories, that both mother and child can draw on when they are challenged by the upsets of life. The documentary, made with love, was deeply moving. I love this project and hope similar programs can be created around the nation.
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Where are the fathers ????????
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Lovely to see what can be accomplished when people reach out to help one-on-one.
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Interesting piece but does nothing to address the root cause of this self perpetuating issue and no amount of lullabies will change the outcome. Children or young adults should not raise the next generation unti they are ready emotionally and financially.
Here is part of a piece I just wrote..
We cannot go back and rewire—remediate—a brain that has suffered an impoverished, or overly stressful early childhood in a K–12 setting. A dysfunctional home life can derail a child’s learning capacity altogether before the child even enters formal schooling. But, to believe that children of poverty or children from particular races are genetically incapable of developing performance levels equal to those of higher-socioeconomic peers is racist and wrong. Clearly, babies learn, and teaching them in developmental appropriate manners changes their brains and ultimately their lives. When a free and appropriate education begins in our maternity wards we will begin to see the learning gap bridged—and the need for welfare and prisons would be greatly reduced. Our society deserves high-quality home-assistance programs and free universal preschool for all. Preschool teachers should be respected as a vital part of "the system"—not the least-educated, least-paid, and least-recognized of educators. Parents and early caregivers need the information to do what they can to increase neural networking in infant brains from conception. The K–12 system learning problem does not lie between kindergarten and high school graduation at all but between the maternity ward and the kindergarten door."
We cannot go back and rewire—remediate—a brain that has suffered an impoverished, or overly stressful early childhood in a K–12 setting. A dysfunctional home life can derail a child’s learning capacity altogether before the child even enters formal schooling. But, to believe that children of poverty or children from particular races are genetically incapable of developing performance levels equal to those of higher-socioeconomic peers is racist and wrong. Clearly, babies learn, and teaching them in developmental appropriate manners changes their brains and ultimately their lives. When a free and appropriate education begins in our maternity wards we will begin to see the learning gap bridged—and the need for welfare and prisons would be greatly reduced. Our society deserves high-quality home-assistance programs and free universal preschool for all. Preschool teachers should be respected as a vital part of "the system"—not the least-educated, least-paid, and least-recognized of educators. Parents and early caregivers need the information to do what they can to increase neural networking in infant brains from conception. The K–12 system learning problem does not lie between kindergarten and high school graduation at all but between the maternity ward and the kindergarten door."
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wonderful to hear that the power of maternal love and the ability to heal
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I think this is a good Idea.
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This is deeply moving to me. I never used to think I'd be in a situation like that, but when I was 28, I escaped to a shelter with my 7-month old infant to avoid nearly fatal beatings from my then-husband. I made a bed for her using a mattress with rolled-up blankets around the edges, and she slept holding my hand on her tummy. I had made up a very simple lullaby, using her name, to the tune of “Edelweiss.” The power of song to open up a channel straight from my heart to hers was amazing.
We only stayed in the shelter only a few weeks, but I will never forget that blissful feeling of peace, knowing we could sleep at last without being afraid.
I never looked back, was very blessed to finish college, and now my 13-year old has a stable life free from violence, although of course it can be stressful and lonely with momma always working. When she is in greatest need of comfort, she still asks me to sing her special lullaby. It has helped to bond, heal, and strengthen both of us.
My heart goes out to these beautiful women, and I am very humbled remembering where I have come from. I’m sending my heartfelt cheer and encouragement -- you can do it!
We only stayed in the shelter only a few weeks, but I will never forget that blissful feeling of peace, knowing we could sleep at last without being afraid.
I never looked back, was very blessed to finish college, and now my 13-year old has a stable life free from violence, although of course it can be stressful and lonely with momma always working. When she is in greatest need of comfort, she still asks me to sing her special lullaby. It has helped to bond, heal, and strengthen both of us.
My heart goes out to these beautiful women, and I am very humbled remembering where I have come from. I’m sending my heartfelt cheer and encouragement -- you can do it!
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I wound up crying but the healing power of music is unlimited.
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How utterly lovely this is. A testimony to the power of art...to reach through to the essential. I wish all of these women and their children well.
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I really like these lullabies and this project which respects the value of the mother-child bond.
As a psychologist, I see many adults whose parents never sang lullabies to them. I encourage people to sing to themselves what they wish they had heard. It's never too late to sing a lullaby, to your child, or to yourself if your mother is gone...
As a psychologist, I see many adults whose parents never sang lullabies to them. I encourage people to sing to themselves what they wish they had heard. It's never too late to sing a lullaby, to your child, or to yourself if your mother is gone...
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In perusing the nytimes I'm grateful that I ran across this piece on line. No real easy answer in addressing teenage pregnancy: however I hope these mothers understand the complications of single parenting and appreciate as well the efforts coming from folks who appear generally sincere and caring...let us pray
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Yes, and I hope the fathers understand the complications of being absent.
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It's beautiful this was done, it is also horrifying in the way that over the last three decades women of all backgrounds are even in homeless shelters with children and we have middle and upper income people documenting stuff on video constantly.
I'm 57 and remember the exact date of Reagan's election: November 4, 1980. I and millions others had a feeling it would get bad in this country--look at how far down we have gone. It's inexcusable.
I'm 57 and remember the exact date of Reagan's election: November 4, 1980. I and millions others had a feeling it would get bad in this country--look at how far down we have gone. It's inexcusable.
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Soon there won't be many who remember how it used to be, before America was transformed into a giant tax shelter for the wealthy...
this is a profoundly moving piece of journalism about the power of mother-love and the ability to heal.
thank you.
thank you.
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