The first song I sang to each of my grandchildren was The Unicorn. I sang other songs to them until they became old enough to tell me to stop.
For some reason I do not remember the first story except the one I told my daughter's son. It was Three Billy Goats Gruff.
He had just come home from the hospital. I wanted to give my daughter a chance to rest. Of course the baby decided to cry... a lot.
I sang to him and he calmed down. But he was not ready to sleep. I decided to tell him a story and that was the first one that came to mind.
Stories and songs are important for a baby. The rhythm and a soothing voice are comforting to them. And it is a good way to forge a bond with the baby.
Singing and telling stories is important. So is reading to them. They learn that there are new stories in books. Hopefully they will want to read on their own as they get older.
How right you are Emma!!
ReplyDeleteThese are so important for a child!
I am amazed by the number of children I know who have never heard songs, nursery rhymes, and fairy tales when I introduced them. They are all a good way to relax a child to sleep too.
DeleteYour niece post reminded me times I spent in my village dear Emma
ReplyDeleteI saw grandma-mothers singing songs for their grandchildren. I didn’t know then it was necessary but with age I learned it was actually
Thanks for sharing
Hugs and love
It is so very necessary. Children learn to speak earlier when adults speak to them too. Remember how good it felt to sit on Grandma's lap while she told you a story?
DeleteUnfortunately, I don’t believe my parents ever read to my brother and myself. Yet, despite this, I grew up with a voracious enjoyment of reading which has continued to this day. I do believe you are correct in that reading or singing soothes a child.
ReplyDeleteIt does soothe. Just the act of reading or telling a story makes them need to not make noise in order to hear it. And music has a rhythm that is also soothing.
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