Recent independent research revealed that almost 60% of UK dads would find an excuse to get out of singing nursery rhymes to their child.  The survey which asked more than 800 dads across the UK how they felt about singing nursery rhymes to their little ones, was commissioned by Jo Jingles, nationwide provider of music, singing and movement classes for babies and pre-schoolers.  Caroline Crabbe, General Manager at Jo Jingles says much of this is down to a lack of awareness and the likelihood that most parents don’t fully appreciate the very real physical and emotional benefits that music can bring to early years’ development.

Of course, there are plenty of musical toys out there that can do the singing for you, but this is no substitute for a good old ‘sing-song’ with your little ones which done regularly, will really strengthen the bonds of trust and communication between adult and child.

Music also helps children with their self-expression and confidence in later life.  Most of us instinctively understand that babies and toddlers react positively to us when we sing songs to them, but what we may not fully appreciate is how those endless repetitions of “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little, Star” are a fundamental part of our baby’s mental, physical and social development, helping to “wire up” their brains ready for speech development.

Most of the reasons cited in our research suggested a real lack of confidence in dads to express themselves through this kind of singing with most of the excuses linked to feelings of embarrassment and awkwardness. The revelation that you can’t sing like a professional is, in reality, the case for most of us but it doesn’t matter. There is nothing your little one loves more than the sound of their mum/dad singing to them and if you sing a bit out of tune, trust me, they won’t mind at all!”

Here are a few everyday tips from Jo Jingles to help parents to bring music into their home:

• Sing to your child regularly.  It can be useful to incorporate music into your daily routine – lots of children love singing at bath time, or enjoy a favourite song at nappy change time.
• Make music active.  It’s not enough simply to put on a CD of nursery rhymes, unless you join in and interact with your child – it won’t have the same level of impact.
• Very young children respond best to very simple songs and traditional nursery rhymes.  Some CDs available in the shops have complicated rhythms more suited to a nightclub rather than a nursery, so try to avoid these.

• Songs using simple actions are great fun and will help improve your child’s co-ordination.  Try to incorporate movement or dance around the room while the song plays.
• Invest in some percussion instruments – rainmakers, bells, maracas, tambourines, castanets, etc. are all available from local toy shops.  Or you could improvise – for example, bang yoghurt pots together, fill a shampoo bottle with dried peas (and fasten securely) to make a shaker, use two saucepan lids to make a fantastic pair of cymbals!
• Props are also a fun element of music making. Why not hide behind scarves whilst singing a peekaboo song, use soft farmyard toys for “Old McDonald” or liven up “The Wheels on the Bus” by using streamers with the actions.  Try showing your child pictures to accompany the songs they are singing, so they understand the concepts more quickly.

About Jo Jingles (www.jojingles.com) 

Jo Jingles provides music, singing and movement experience classes for babies and pre-school children from three months to five years of age.  With nationwide sessions in more than 700 centres across the UK and Ireland and with over 90 franchisees, Jo Jingles offers well-established, structured classes that are fun, interactive and educational for little ones.

Launched in 1991, Jo Jingles continues to promote learning through music across many of the UK’s nurseries, Sure Start Children’s Centres, playgroups and mother & toddler groups. Jo Jingles Birthday parties and celebrations are also available to book and a range of musical-themed merchandise including toys, CDs and musical instruments can be purchased online at www.jojingles.com.