What makes a song a lullaby

Simple, short and repeated phrases can form the perfect basis for a very catchy chorus. While a lullaby is traditionally a song to soothe a child or lull them to sleep, they can essentially be written in any style at all. Creating your personalised song is about bringing in your own ideas and style.

You want to ensure that you reflect your personal tastes, culture and musical preference. When helping a baby to sleep, an effective rhythm is typically one that creates a soothing effect. For some babies, a more upbeat rhythm might be most appropriate, to reflect a more energetic bouncing motion required to help that child to sleep. Experiment with different songs to find out what is most suitable for you and your child.

Go with what works especially if it is sleep that we are aiming for! The best songs for young children involve melodies that are simple, memorable, easy to sing, and contain repetition.

Whilst tiny babies may not yet understand the words of a lullaby, they will start to recognise and remember the shape and pattern of a tune. If you find the task of writing a melody to be daunting at first, start by taking a song that you already know, and adding your own new words to the existing tune. Importantly, be confident and take your time.

Writing a song provides a wonderful and unique opportunity to reflect upon, dream about and connect with your baby. And what could be a more beautiful way to show your love than through a dedicated song, written from the heart?

Through lullabies, music and singing, we build. We build hope. We build connections across families and communities. We build understanding between cultures and beliefs. Be build memories that will last a lifetime. Songs to build a better world for all. Which lullaby have you sung a million times? Cathy Hale is a nationally recognized writer and lifestyle blogger. Cathy Hale is a nationally recognized writer, lifestyle blogger, autism advocate and proud mother of two.

In , she began navigating the wild world of motherhood as a mom blogger after her oldest son was diagnosed with autism at the age of three. Cathy's candid perspective about raising a child on the autism spectrum garnered national interest. Cathy Hale. In our technology-filled world, there are a million new ways to soothe your baby, but what you might not know is the good old traditional lullabies are still the best.

The history of lullabies Traditional lullabies have been around for hundreds of years. Communicating baby-style Scholars agree that lullabies enhance the bond between baby and mom. When the child receives the clues, the child can accept the bedtime much easier. Because music is intimately linked to culture, it makes sense that lullabies are not confined to just one culture.

Exploring the global span of lullabies has proven to shed light on both the individual culture as well as the universal relationship of mother and child.

One of the most well-known lullabies has its roots in Germany. The German lyrics can be found here. Unlike the familiar "Rock-a-bye, Baby" that puts unfortunate images of boughs breaking and babies crashing down, this song is much, much sweeter.

In this one, the child's cradle is made of rose and jasmine and he's got milk and lovely scents all around him. A traditional lullaby, " Edo Komoriuta ," is a soft song about a nanny who has crossed the mountains to her faraway village. The overall softness of the song is definitely conducive to falling easily into sleep.

Whether you sing a traditional lullaby or make up your own, give your child the gift of hearing your voice as their drift off to Dreamland. Continue Reading. By entering your email and clicking the Submit button, you agree to receive marketing emails from ParentCo. All rights reserved.

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