VILLAGE: Rhythm Of My Day Week 4

FOUNDATIONS OF LEARNING

LEARNING IS INTEGRATED: Realize that learning is integrated. It’s rare that a child learns just one thing from an activity. Physical coordination, or ‘motor’ skills, are engaged along with language, thinking skills, and social interactions. You can never be sure exactly what a child will learn from a given activity – what she already knows and can do, how others reinforce the child’s actions or ideas, and even the child’s mood.

LULLABIES & BONDING: The singing of lullabies provides optimum bonding opportunities. Mothers throughout the ages have communicated love and warmth to their infant child through the singing of lullabies and songs. These simple activities give the baby a feeling of security and protection. Researchers have found that babies more easily fall asleep when their mothers sing to them. Mothers singing is a signal of safety & protection.

RHYTHMIC COMPLEXITY: Babies are first exposed to rhythm in the womb. She hears her mother’s heartbeat and then, after birth, her own. African and Indian music traditions have brought syncopation and other rhythmic complexities to our ears, weaving these rhythms into current Western culture. Exposing you baby to this variety will develop her abilities to listen and produce these rhythms more easily as she grows.

THE SKILL OF RELAXATION: Unstructured quiet time teaches children to take a moment, watch and just listen rather than always being on the go. You can help you baby learn the skill of relaxation by giving him a cue. During each session the children can learn that when they hear a particular song that it is time to be still, listen, and relax for the duration of the song. Giving your baby tools to help him relax will be essential to his becoming a balanced person.