The soundtrack of your home
As March 2020 draws to a close, we are all doing our best to stay at home - to keep our own families safe and to protect everyone else in our community.
The things that usually keep little people and their grown-ups busy and connected have stopped - there’s no playgroup, no storytime at the library, no music classes, no popping out to the cafe, no visits to Grandparents or friends - just home.
We’re all doing our very best to create a safe and loving environment for our little ones at a time that is unsettling at best and possibly terribly scary for some. Chances are you’ve made some changes at home - maybe you’ve set up a permanent art & craft spot, maybe you’ve sorted through the toys, perhaps you’ve been baking more or picked some flowers from your garden to brighten up your kitchen table?
But have you thought about the soundtrack of your home? Give some thought to what your little ones are hearing at home, all day every day…
Here are five things to think about:
1. News-free zone
With the world changing ever so fast at the moment, it is tempting to keep the news on in the background to get constant updates. While this can be reassuring to us adults, it can increase anxiety levels for children.
You don’t need to hide the news from your little ones, keeping secrets is virtually impossible in this day and age, but do try to minimise their exposure. It will help bring down your own anxiety levels too.
ABC News has provided some great advice about how to cope with traumatic news, including important links to further information and telephone counselling support.
Click on the image for some great advice (for kids AND adults) about managing traumatic news
2. Quality kids music
DO switch on some of your favourite kids music to enjoy together.
I shared what I look for when choosing music, and a bunch of my favourite children’s artists in this post. Check it out if you need to add something fresh to your playlist!
Choosing quality literature - click here for some ideas to add to your playlist!
3. DIY
Switch off the recorded music and do-it-yourself… Little kids enjoy hearing the grownups they love sharing a song or rhyme - sing them a lullaby, a knee-bounce or a made-up song. And then listen to them sing for YOU.
Perhaps you could even record them singing a song for someone they love but can’t see in person at the moment. Imagine how much joy that would bring to Granny, Pop, Aunty June, or cousin Charlie…
4. Explore genres
Kids don’t just have to listen to music created especially for them! Share some of your favourite music with them…
And then explore some new genres together. Streaming services like Spotify are a great way to explore new music but if you don’t have anything like that set up, there are still plenty of options. Here are a few websites to try:
5. Silence is golden
Filling your home with music might be just what you need right now, but remember to give everyone’s ears a break too. Some children (and adults too) will find constant music overwhelming.
It’s important to switch off the music and have beautiful periods of silence too. This will allow brains to rest, create a space for children to fill with their own chatter and singing and allow everyone to appreciate the music even more when it returns.
