When there are babies and young children at home, it is time for games and care; to encourage the first good habits and of learning to communicate with the world.
For newborns, it's diaper season, from waking up in the middle of the night to breastfeeding. It's time for lullabies.
Music is much more than a playful tool, It serves as a pedagogical complement and educational reinforcement. It acts as a "coach" to keep the brain in good shape and facilitates the retention of files in memory. Too works as a mechanism to increase the affective bond between mothers and fathers with their young children.
When babies are discovering the world outside the womb, music is an ally to relax and reassure those anxious and skittish little ones. As a vehicle to transport them to a restful and deep sleep, lullabies have been in force practically since the world is world.
Popular culture
Throughout the world, each culture has developed its own musical traditions; and within them, their own lullabies. In most Spanish-speaking countries, starting from the Iberian nation to the territories that were under Spanish rule in America, the tradition of the Andalusian lullaby is the most widespread.
Closely linked to flamenco, although more due to a geographical factor than due to similarities in terms of sound structure. Most historians hold that, in its genesis, it was reserved only to be performed by female voices. This is conditioned because since always, mostly women have been the ones who lull babies.
Of simple melody, the plots of these lullabies seek to reassure the little ones through short phrases, loaded with tenderness. During some periods, the lyrics came to include comments on the daily life of the mother and father, as well as mentions of the specific historical moment of each era.
Some of the most sung lullabies in Spanish are. Sleep my girl, To the nanita nana, Big Knight's Lullaby y Nana for a king. They are also very popular Fall asleep my child y The rose goes to sleep.
Lullabies, before childbirth
Much has been said about how convenient it is to put music to babies, even when they are still in the womb. It is common to hear comments such as that it is "mandatory" for the unborn to listen to Mozart.
Beyond the "playlist" that is built to lull children into their mothers, the most general recommendation is to select soft and relaxing melodies. Although the little ones will end up getting used to and enjoying practically any musical style that is the favorite of their parents.
What is totally contraindicated is to place hearing aids directly on the mother's belly. A fairly widespread custom until a few years ago; the amniotic fluid amplifies the sound, so it is very likely that the baby will end up groggy, restless or over stimulated.
Inside the belly, children in training can hear with clarity most of the sounds of the environment; including the music present in the environment.
Classical music. The Mozart effect
This is another lengthy debate. Since the early 1990s there has been discussion about the benefit of putting babies, even before birth, classical music.
Although the discussions are centered almost exclusively around the positive effect that, according to some specialists, the compositions of Wolfang Amadeus Mozart have.
The most enthusiastic about these postulates affirm that some of the Austrian master's arrangements have the ability to make infants smarter.
But beyond the discussions about the relevance or the real scope of the known as Mozart effectThe truth is that many of the pieces by this classical composer are among the best lullabies in the history of universal music.
Those who want their little ones to listen to Mozart music, on YouTube there are channels dedicated to compiling several of his arrangements, in special presentations for babies.
To Elisa y Moonlight de Ludwig Van BeethovenAs well as Night. Opus 9, N ° 4 de Frederick Chopin, they are also very representative lullabies. Although probably the most famous lullaby framed within classical music, it is Wiegenlied. Opus 49, N ° 4 by Johannes Brahms.
Lullabies out loud
Placing music on a player at home to help babies fall asleep is a good idea. But taking up one of the most elementary principles of lullabies is even more so; is about hold the child in your arms and lull him to a soft melody. A practical and as useful as necessary.
Moms and dads can find in this practice, a communication channel that will last a lifetime. Beyond the quiet chords Parents' voices are another source of peace and security.
The list of songs that can be interpreted is very wide and quite flexible. Even much of the pop music that is heard on radios can achieve the desired calming effect. In any case, among the “traditional” examples are The chicks say, Pimpon is a doll y Estrellita, where are you?.
Nanas "mainstream"
Within the songbook of genres so seemingly contrary to relaxation as the rockSome lullabies can be found. Wizard of Oz demonstrated it with Sleep ... (Lullaby), a theme that goes from acoustic to electric guitar keeping your sense of lullaby.
This theme of the great Spanish band, was included in the album finisterra, released in 2000. A conceptual work that develops a unique plot line among the 18 songs that make up the double CD.
Less "heavy" and yes much calmer is the lullaby Hush, little baby in the voice of Nina Simone. Traditional lullaby of the southeastern United States. In the mid-60s, the brothers Ines & Charlie Foxx started from this theme, to compose monckingbird, a lullaby to the rhythm of soul. It has been interpreted, among others, by Aretha Franklin, James Taylor and Dusty Springfield.
Image Sources: Hogarus.com