They have a commercial out now where an eclectic group of folks are singing Rick James’ song, Super Freak, and as a consequence of that commercial that song is now running through my mind in a repetitive loop. The song is stuck in my brain and rattling around in my head and clearly doesn’t recognize that it can escape through the other ear as so many things do. And so I find myself bustin’ out my dance moves almost unconsciously to this song in my head…it must be a sight…especially since my “moves” to the outside observer may look less like dancing and more like a twitch or seizure (depending on where I am mentally in the song loop).
There is something to this music getting stuck in your head thing. Something scientific I think. Why is it that something with a beat or pattern can so easily loop in one’s mind?
When Cheyenne was a baby I used to sing to her. I sang three songs primarily, the Hush Little Baby/Mockingbird song, the Wheels on the Bus song and Amazing Grace (yes, my repertoire was expansive I know). A music teacher once told me that there is something about singing to babies that affects brain development. Apparently music allows the developing brain to create connections much more quickly. As I understood it from the music teacher, singing to kids at an early age may be connected to their learning curve. Huh – who knew? So, I sang to Cheyenne every day…and she is one smart cookie. I do find it a bit difficult to believe that she is better off because I sang to her every day (I mean really, have you heard my singing – you may have missed it as it may have been drowned out by the dogs howling).
I do wonder though beyond the brain connections if there are other benefits/detriments that babies suffer from their parents’ singing to them (beyond the obvious issues with those parents who cannot carry a tune). Do these tunes get stuck in their heads the way that Super Freak got stuck in mine? All those jerky movements we see babies doing when they are trying to coordinate hand-eye movement, could it be that they are trying to build their groove based on the song in their head?
Not sure how one could go about testing such a thing, but I am sure there is some brilliant brain researcher working on it right now. I suspect that babies are not immune to getting songs and musical patterns stuck in their heads. It just makes sense. It also makes sense that being exposed to patterns in music would sharpen the brain’s ability to discern things. My only remaining curiosity in this area is whether the song choice itself matters. What an interesting study that would be. Do the song selections ultimately make a difference in the child? Hmmmm…fascinating to ponder.
I sang fairly mellow songs to Cheyenne, what would have happened if I had sung Super Freak to her instead? It might have made for quite a different child…oh wait…I did sing Super Freak to a baby before – way back in 1981 – my oldest child, Sarah. Back in the day when Super Freak first came out I regularly sang it to her and around her. Well there you have it, two cases to compare – two daughters, two music choices and two very different personalities. Also, two different song tracks looping in their heads…ah, the power of music.
Make your song selections carefully when you are singing to babies you never know what might stick and the effect it might have. My advice having experimented unwittingly on four kids, sing any song selection with joy and abandon even if you cannot carry a tune and you’ll produce children who do the same…I suspect that ultimately that is what matters most. Any brain researchers out there who can back me up on this one?
Day one hundred and eighteen of the new forty – obla di obla da
CC
THE NEW FORTY 
Oh, some of my favorite topics: babies and music. :-)It seems there have been varied thoughts on the importance of music for infants over the years. Some researchers place higher value on the practice than others. My personal thoughts are that any relationship of trust you build with your baby and young child is good for overall development. When you are singing with a young child, it is generally a peaceful or happy situation (regardless how off-key you believe you are), thus you are contributing to the emotional well being of the child and his or her need to be loved and accepted. It brings you away from the polar opposite stressful times, which often increase the cortisol production in the brain. While cortisol is an important an helpful hormone, raised levels brought on from increased stress (for a baby that could be extensive and repeated bouts of crying that is not soothed)can impair cognitive development and contribute to other physical stressors, such as lowered immunity.
In my years of working with young children, I have found singing with them to be comforting at most times, a learning tool, or a fun distraction when they are uncooperative during routines such as diapering, dressing, handwashing, eating. I can pretty much build a personalized song (albeit off-tune and goofy) around any activity we are partaking in at the moment.
My mom always sang to us and I always sang to my children. We all continue to love music and it can definitely be a stress reliever.
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My ex and I both sang to our oldest daughter (who also happens to be named, Sara). She loved it when daddy would sing Jefferson Starship’s – Sara to her. He was a product of the 70s. Me, I was an 80s Lady. I preferred to use the multiple songs turned into one song – mostly because I couldn’t remember all the words. I wonder how that affected her? I should ask her sometime what songs get stuck in her head. She of course adores the songs of the 70s and 80s.
Back in 1987 when I was pregnant with her it was all the rage to play music for the fetus – preferrably classical music. Did that. She’s terrible at english and liberal arts, but give her math and science and she’s pretty darn good.
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I am tone deaf..but I still sang to my babies..but only simple songs with Twinkle Twinkle Little Star being my favorite..:)
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