Singable Stories

Today I'd like to feature another favorite resource of mine: Singable Stories! These are great for parents and kids to do together. While you are sitting down together to read books, why not have some that you can sing too?

Benefits of singing books:

1. Bonding with your child
2. Encouraging language development
3. Encouraging music development
4. Tapping into both sides of the brain simultaneously
5. Mixing it up from your other "reading" books

There are many simple children's songs that have books that you can sing along to. For instance, Five Little Monkeys, Baby Beluga, Down By The Station, Five Green Frogs, Six Little Ducks, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, I Know An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly (and many variations), Wheels on the Bus, and many more!

If you are up for a longer book that will really grab your kids attention, try Iza Trapani's collection. These beautifully illustrated books are well known songs with several added verses. Here are a few that I have and use:

• Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star (or Brilla, Brilla Linda Estrella - Spanish Edition)
• The Itsy Bitsy Spider
• Row, Row, Row Your Boat
• I'm A Little Teapot
• It's Raining, It's Pouring
• How Much Is That Doggie In The Window
• Oh Where, Oh Where Has My Little Dog Gone?
• Mary Had A Little Lamb
• Shoo Fly!

To purchase or learn more about these books click here: Rhythms For Living: Recommended Resources

How Can Music Help My Preemie?

NICU: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for infants who are born early

For a few months now I've had the opportunity to join The Children's Healing Institute to offer a NICU support group for parents. Parents who have an infant in the NICU often deal with a multitude of feelings including anxiety, fear, disappointment, and worry. Mothers have a hard time bonding with their infant due to the barrier of an isolette and a maze of cords, and may feel nervous even trying to hold their baby. Many mothers have the added frustration of trying to pump milk for their infant without having their infant with them. In our groups we are able to discuss their feelings, make sure that they are getting the supper that they need, and offer ideas for ways to enhance their time in the NICU.

As a board certified music therapist with the NICU Music Therapist credential, I am able to educate parents on the many benefits of music therapy for their preemie, and even how music can help them deal with their feelings and stress. 

I complied a list of ways that music can help preemies and their parents while in the NICU and after discharge. I thought I would share it here with you. If you know of any parent who is going through the difficult situation of being in the NICU, please share this info with them and have them check out my resources for NICU parents on my website at rhythmsforliving.com.

If you would like more information on the NICU Music Therapy credential or how we use music therapy in the NICU please click here.