Jingle Bell Rockin’…

Why is it that I just can’t get enough holiday music? I find myself humming them all day long!

There is something MAGICAL about this time of the year  and the music we play. It’s no wonder that this strong connection to music begins at birth- and some would even argue even before birth! As a counselor working with children, I like to implement music whenever I can. You might be surprised at how many benefits there are to exposing your child to music early on. Here are a few off the top of my head.

Music and Movement can:

Increase fine and gross motor skills

Increase vocabulary

Increase listening skills

Enhance attention span, concentration, impulse control, and memory

Give your child an outlet to express feelings (verbally or nonverbally)

Create bonding with parents

AND it can create relaxation and stress relief

So, with that being said, I have asked Bee,  a music therapist and singer song writer in New York,  to share with us a few songs she has been singing with the children she works with.

Grab some bells and dance along to this song!

This last one is a lullaby and can create calmness and stillness in the home. Great for bedtime routines!

A perfect example of how music has affected a child’s life is in the case of Brynn Jones.

She is delightful 6- year-old who has been diagnosed with Rett Syndrome, a developmental disorder that affects the X chromosome. Despite her inability to communicate verbally, she has a strong connection to music, particularly music by the indie folk singer Mindy Gledhill. Her connection is so strong that her mother carries around Mindy’s music wherever they go. In fact, during  surgery, the doctors played Mindy over the speaker system to keep her calm- and it worked!

Well, the story  gets better because Mindy Gledhill has agreed to play a benefit concert for Brynn in Boise December 16th!

To learn more about Rett Syndrome and the concert with Mindy you can go HERE.

Have fun jingle bell rockin’ this holiday season!

{We’re linking up to these parties!}

Cristi

Cristi: Mommy by day, family counselor, photographer, blogger, and fashionista by night. She’s in love with her extremely supportive husband and her busy toddler whom she likes to call “little man.” She admits to having an obsession with mint oreos and cake batter ice cream. You can find more of her on her fashion blog: www.trulymodlydeeply.com or her parenting blog: www.weedstowishes.com.

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