Conference moira::parenting_v3

    
    I believe that music can modify anyone's moods.  I felt this to be true
    when I listened to Bach and Vivaldi during my pregnancies.   
    
    Music (singing, mostly, but sometimes the radio) put my kids to sleep
    when they were small, and they still put on the 'phones to calm
    themselves before going to sleep at night (their taste doesn't run to
    Vivaldi these days, though - they are 16 and 18).    
    
    When my youngest had temper tantrums (ages 3 through about 5), I could
    put on a polka, or a march, and he would almost immediately change his
    behavior.  Even today, "happy" music can make a sullen teenager smile.
    
    -m

    Yes, of course.
    
    And it depends on other things: my wife used to nurse our son while
    she listened to classical music.  I'm sure he'll always feel better
    (loved, happy, sleepy...but maybe hungry) around classical music
    because of that early conditioning.
    
    		-John Bishop

    Good point, John.
    
    When Kat was a wee one, I was finishing college, and her crib was
    in the corner of my bedroom while my desk including typewriter was
    on the other side of the bedroom.  I had one of those old
    record-changer stereos, and after she was in bed, I'd put on every
    record I owned at the time (CCR, 2 Moody Blues, the soundtrack to
    Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, and the Five Man Electrical
    Band) to cover up the noise I made studying and typing so she
    could get to sleep.  
    
    I think that's part of why she now needs music on or she has
    trouble getting to sleep.  She also studies better when she has
    music on in the background.
    
    --bonnie

    My sister's analogy of this one is that while her daughter was in the
    nursery in the hospital they played a radio softly.  After she came
    home my sister discovered that by playing a radio softly it would quiet
    her daughter down significantly.
    
    As her daughter grew she noticed her daughter would stand in front of
    the TV when something musical was on and try to "dance", this was even 
    before taking actual steps.  Today she is 10 and has won many prizes
    and competitions for her dancing talents!  Related, well who knows?
    Neither my sister nor I have any special musical or dancing talent.
    

    As a Masters student in Psychology, with some knowledge of Music
    Therapy, it is understood that various styles of music can evoke
    certain emotions within a person.  Often times, therapists play soft
    classical or new age music to calm a hyper or restless child.  That's
    only one indication of the effect music can have.  I myself use it to
    relax as I'm sure many other people do.  Many a musician will tell you
    that playing an instrument, singing, and writing lyrics is an
    expression of their inner emotions.  If that's so, then listening to
    such music is bound to evoke emotions of some sort.
    
    Hope this helps!
    
    Lynn
    

    I agree!  When my 2 year old starts getting whiny or antsy in the
    car, his brothers and I start singing some of his favorite songs.  He 
    shuts up almost immediately, and laughs and claps along.
    
    We sing a lot in the car...
    

    I have a 3 year old who has severe learning disabilities.  About a year ago
    a friend suggested classical music ONLY around my child.  Now keep in
    mind that I also have 2 teenagers, who, although they do appreciate the
    fine arts, prefer a steady diet of rock.  I insisted on only classical
    music when around the youngest.  Maybe it's coincidential, but we are
    now working thru many of the disabilities.  If it can help a challenged
    child, imagine what it could do for the average child?
    
    Thank heavens for WCRB-Waltham!
    
    -Lynne

    I have a 17 month old daughter who absolutely loves music.  I did
    aerobics during my entire pregnanacy and she is very accustomed to
    the various beats and rythms of music.  Today, all it takes is to
    put one CD on and she is up dancing and clapping her hands, regardless
    of whether or not she was just crying a second ago.
    
    Music is wonderful and I am anxious to start using the "WEE SING"
    tapes with her.
    
    What could be more enjoyable than to have your child wake up singing
    "Happy to you, happy to you..."?
    
    -Patty

    My husband works at home and also takes care of our 3-yr-old 
    a good bit of the week. They *always* play music when they're
    home together. My son seems to really pay attention - if he
    hears something he doesn't recognize, he asks what it is and
    remembers. He is constantly exposed to all kinds of music, from 
    Mozart and Beethoven to zydeco to Duke Ellington. He has a high
    accuracy rate at identifying things he's heard at least once 
    before. He enjoys music and asks for specific things (latest
    favorites: Beatles, Aerosmith and Doc Watson). 
    
    All this makes me think that music can make quite an impression
    on young kids and is very valuable for them.  

    To go off on a tangent a little bit, I play the piano.  My kids
    have to be right next to me on the bench when ever I start hacking
    away and now have special requests.  One of the best things that
    I did was to get my hands on some music that is mostly nursery
    rhymes so they now sing along with me.
    
    Now their little friends (all under age 6) come over and ask
    me to play and sing - which is a thrill because I have a
    terrible singing voice and they are the only ones that will put up
    with my voice.
    
    I have requested a specific Kintergarden teacher next year because
    she plays piano, has one in her room and teaches the kids various
    "lessons" all to music.  She said that children are very responsive
    to music at a early age and "learn what they sing".  She is more
    my style!

    Thank you for all the wonderful replies from my basenote, I really
    enjoyed reading them.  The reason I entered this note was because even
    though my son is only 8 months old, I can see a reaction from him based
    on the type of music he hears.
    
    I have noticed that music changes his mood instantaniously.  The
    changes are different, depending on what music is playing.  His dad
    likes rock music (Areosmith, ZZtop, Bon Jovi etc...) and I noticed that
    Stephen gets upset and at times just plain hard to handle when it is
    on.  If I turn it off and put something else on, his mood changes again. 
    Classical music makes him happy, country music puts him to sleep and
    soft rock (Neil Diamond, Breathe, Elton John, Anita Baker etc...) he 
    will calm down and play quietly.
    
    At first, I thought this was all in my head, but it happens every time.
    That is why I was wondering what your experiences have been.  Stephen
    also loves to be sung to.  I don't know why, I sure can't sing.
    
    Glad to hear that your kids react to music too.
    
    Feel free to continue with your comments, they are appreciated.
    
    Kathy

    When Christopher was born they had a radio on the whole time in his
    special care nursery, right next to his bassinet, playing classical
    music.  If he hears classical now, he LOVES it and calms right down.
    
    Both of the boys will request music all the time, and I think they'd
    rather that than T.V. (now if I could convince their dad!).  Also,
    they've moved to the music ever since they were able to move.
    
    DEFINITELY has an effect!!

    My 17 month old son absolutely LOVES classical music.  I play piano,
    and when I play classical pieces he sits in his "Cozy Coupe" car and
    just listens.  I also watch the cooking and do-it-yourself shows on TV
    on Saturday and Sunday mornings, and their theme songs are frequently
    classical pieces (Frugal Gourmet and a program on Indian cooking come
    to mind).  As soon as the music starts, David will charge into the room
    and park himself, again in his Cozy Coupe, and will sit quietly for a
    good 10 - 15 minutes.
    

Well, 15-month-old Michael sleeps to classical music.  And he used to
listen to it when he was awake.  But he has now learned to operate the 
radio in his room.  And operate it he does.  As soon as he gets out of his 
crib and is put down, he goes over to the radio, turns it on, and tunes in 
a rock station.  He then turns the volume up, proceeds to knee-dance a few 
minutes, then goes on about his business while Mom and Dad cover our ears 
and run for cover.

What next...

Steve

    
    >What next...
    
    Steve, 
    
    At a guess, either
    
    * rap
    * heavy metal
    * New Kids on the Block
    
    --bonnie, who has been there a couple of times...