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Say Goodnight to Sleepless Nights with Lullabies

By Sarah Molnar

Angela Smith hadn’t slept for three months. Her new baby kept her up all night. Angela was pushed to the brink as she lost her ability to focus and her husband couldn’t go to work. She consulted her doctor, who said, “If all else fails, maybe try lullabies?” Angela was hoping for a more scientific suggestion, but at this point she was willing to try anything to trade in that mommy in the morning look for a set of fresh eyes. She and her husband began singing to their child. Slowly and steadily the baby began sleeping more and more, and the Smiths quality of life increased along with their sleep. Lullabies had put to bed the days of sleepless nights and tired days.

Musically, what makes a lullaby?

Traditionally, lullabies are known as soothing songs that help babies relax and fall asleep. Holly Bennett from Good Night Lullabies quoted Laurel Trainor, an associate professor of psychology at McMaster University: “Lullabies tend to be simple in structure, have a restricted pitch range and a lot of repetition. But much of what makes a lullaby is the style in which it is sung.” Babies respond when the music is coming directly from the parent. The recognizable sounds create a calming and familiar feeling, allowing them to fall asleep more easily. 

Tim Thompson, musicologist and producer at ClydeSight Productions, says the structure of lullabies is what appeals to children. Because this music is written like a story with a beginning, middle and end, children enjoy it more. A further benefit to them is that they learn structure and order and exercise imagination. “The melody and harmony are just intricate enough to stimulate the imagination slightly,” Thompson says, “yet also send an unspoken message of support and security, in a way no words can describe.”

How does a lullaby sooth a child?

Musica Prenatal, an online resource centered on the connection between music and babies, says that the fetus can react to musical stimulation, such as the heartbeat. Unborn babies can distinguish elements of music such as length, intensity, voice recognition and range. They say that children who have been motivated by music early on usually perform better in math and reading. Lullabies also stimulate the beginning of speech for most babies. Familiarity with patterns and repetition serve a child well in development.

According to Annie Murphy Paul of Psychology Today, a parent’s singing voice may help the bond between parent and baby. She explains that a study by Sandra Trehub, Ph.D., shows that “most parents…have a special ‘lullaby voice’ that they use in singing to their babies: high in pitch and slow in speed.” Trehub said the voice is a major component of emotion and may result in a change of facial expressions and body movements, which babies perceive and respond to. 

How can teachers and parents use lullabies?

Studies often describe the benefits of lullabies in the home. In Jackie Silberg’s The I Can’t Sing Book,  she gives parents tips on how to make a lullaby and lists some familiar lullabies like “Hush, Little Baby”. Her Web site jackiesilberg.com is filled with useful information such as downloadable lyrics, music resource links, book descriptions and fun articles that encourage the use of music between parents and children.  

Lullabies are a great teaching tool, especially in early childhood. LuAnn F. Longenecker, a conservatory teacher at Westminster Choir College of Rider University, loves using lullabies in her classroom of children and parents. She enjoys using lullabies because “they provide a warm, nurturing way of reinforcing steady beat as the caregivers hold the children and rock to the beat.”  

Whether lullabies are used for a naptime routine or lesson plan idea, they have many valuable uses. Throughout the world their harmonious sounds and relaxing rhythms create a strong bond between parent and child. Before birth, a lullaby can stimulate brain development, which will help the child in areas like math and reading later in life. At home and in the classroom lullabies make a great learning tool.   

Lullabies may not work on every newborn, but it is worth the try. With so many benefits, the lullaby is a wonderful tool for parents, future parents, educators or just someone who would like to have a good night’s sleep.

Jennifer Richard Jacobson, children’s author and educational consultant, came up with the following ways to incorporate lullabies into fun activities for kids in early childhood classrooms:   

1. Have children create their own lullabies and post them in a class or music book.  

2. Make a recording of the children singing their lullabies and play it during naptime.

3. Write a popular lullaby on a piece of chart paper and focus on phonemic elements.

4. Allow children to create pictures corresponding to their lullabies, create a slideshow of their pictures and the words and use the recordings as background music.

Sarah Molnar is a freelance writer.