Moving around to music
Moving around with our little ones can sometimes help change our mood, distract us from baby crying, and help us express our emotions. Especially when we're on our own with our little one(s), here are some ideas we can try (dance skills are not required!! Although dancing round the kitchen to your favourite tunes is definitely encouraged!)
Baby karaoke!
Your baby is crying and you notice your
stress levels rising
You pick up your baby and let them know you’ve heard them
Try walking around and singing along with the words and tune of one of your favourite songs – with a nice beat! Not too loud!
Try slowing down a bit – slow your walk and slow your song
See if you can slow down a bit more?
If you need a break, put your baby down somewhere safe and walk away for a few minutes until you feel calmer.
The science-y blurb!
When our babies are born they can’t regulate their feelings at all and they need us to do it for them. That's really hard sometimes. The latest research says that helping little babies to stop crying helps them cry less as toddlers. Phew!
My favourite playlist
Do you have a favourite group or
music artist?
Maybe you love the latest chart-topping music?
Maybe you love to hum, sing, or dance along with your favourite anthems?
Maybe you love alternative music, gospel, folk, classical, reggae, so much to
choose from!
How about having a playlist on your phone that helps you feel better, especially on a tough day?
The science-y blurb!
The latest music research shows that listening to music is really helping parents and carers with their sense of mental wellbeing. Pop music seems to be listened to most although lots of different types of music work too. Music reduces anxiety, helps lift our mood, and even lowers blood pressure. Who knew?!
You're amazing, just the way you are!
How about listening to this song and really focusing on the words. You might think that this is the song you would sing to your baby. How about realising that it's the song your baby sings to YOU!!! Dancing round the kitchen might be required!
For the song and lyrics, please click HERE!
The science-y blurb!
In 2023, top journal Nature published a study showing that 6-month old babies preferred their mothers' faces to strangers' faces, and that this was associated with quicker recovery from distress at 9-months. Given separate evidence that babies' prefer the face of their main caregiver, let's assume that other parental figures are amazing just the way they are too!
The Happy Song!
Imogen Heap has created "The Happy Song" in response to a brief from the C&G Club to write a song that would make babies happier! How about enjoying it with your baby, maybe singing and dancing along.
For the official song and video
please click HERE!
The science-y blurb!
Researchers at Goldsmith University in London scientifically tested the music in its various stages of production. Tempo, melody, and various samplings were tested on a total of 26 babies to work out which ones they liked best. How lovely is that!
I am woman!
(Helen Reddy, 1972)
We launched this musical hug on International Women's Day. Such a 70s classic with fabulous lyrics, and we encourage singing along (loudly!) and moving around.
The chorus words are:
"Yes, I am wise
But it's wisdom born of pain
Yes, I've paid the price
But look how much I've gained
If I have to, I can do anything
I am strong (strong)
I am invincible (invincible)
I am woman"
What an anthem!!
The science-y blurb!
Perkins and colleagues (2018) found increases in mums' self-esteem through group singing, and a greater sense of achievement in caring for their babies. This singing may reassure mums as
they start their parenting journey, especially if mums are feeling isolated, tired, and with many other (common) challenges.
The paper can be found HERE.
Film soundtracks and musicals!
In our research with lovely parents, many shared their love of musicals, especially as sound tracks for longer journeys. Frozen, Mama Mia, or Shrek anyone?? Hamilton was a real hit with parents, and also Wicked.
So we thought we'd send the original "Hamilton" Broadway recording your way. You can sing and dance along which you can't in most theatres, so this is even better! Find the epic songs HERE!
We also couldn't resist sharing the official Barbie soundtrack HERE!
The science-y blurb!
Singing can now be "prescribed" by doctors to help improve people's health and wellbeing. Better than pills, right?
A new controlled study is underway to look at how effective this approach is.
Please see HERE for details.
Dance! Boogie Wonderland
(Earth, Wind, and Fire, 1979)
Just wanted to send this absoutely iconic disco hit to encourage us all to dance around for a minute or two. And if this music isn't for you, maybe you have another track to dance to? Many music tracks are just a few minutes - perfect for a dance around the room with or without our little one!! No one is watching!!
Official music video with subtitles is HERE!
The science-y blurb!
Music helps many parents feel less anxious, more calm, and much less agitated. Even just listening to upbeat music can significantly improve our mood and support our immune system! Imagine what dancing to music can do?!!!
Quick newspaper article HERE!
See HERE for a really interesting
research paper!
Musical feelings!
This musical hug comes straight from a couple of wonderful colleagues and friends at the Royal College of Music. We were chatting about music helping with totally overwhelming feelings. Sometimes this means finding a piece of music that just seems "right" for the moment. Finding music that somehow "matches" or "meets" your mood. Lyrics also really helped!!!
The science-y blurb!
We know that babies can't regulate their feelings and need us to do it for them. However, baby crying, colic, very little sleep, etc, etc, can make us feel really frazzled emotionally. Our own feelings can be overwhelming let alone us having to regulate our little ones. Finding music for us FIRST might be helpful even as a distraction! Also, we can put our babies down somewhere safe and walk away for a bit, especially if we are on our own.
Moving around music
(running time 15 mins and license-free)
Lovely latin vibes with upbeat rhythms! Perfect for moving around with little ones, to change the energy, help unsettled babies (and parents!), and help everyone have a little break. Nice music to use during groups too, if all the babies start crying at the same time! Can help lighten the mood and reassure anxious parents that it's OK!
The science-y blurb!
Music and dance (movement) are woven into all known cultures and their benefits for mental wellbeing are well-known.
Encouraging parents to put on music they love (or sing or hum) and move around is also free and available 24/7. Parents might already be doing it naturally. We're just letting them know that something as everyday as walking, rocking, and moving around to music with/without their baby can support their wellbeing. Research paper on music and dance is HERE
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