Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star: it's more than just a nursery song - includes list of lullaby song books and tapes, and classical music to use as lullabies

Children Today, July-August, 1989 by Mary Jeanette Howle

The singer may wish to suit the song to something current. If it is raining, he or she might try the folk rhyme, "It's raining, it's pouring. The old man is snoring." Christmas may evoke "Away in A Manger." Whatever coincides with the weather, the calendar, or family happenings can be used effectively. A child always enjoys hearing his or her own name. If the song includes a name, it can be changed to the child's name; a line or two of the text can also be revised to include the child's name - for example, the old tune, "Hush, little baby, don't say a word" can easily be changed to "Hush, little Ginny" (or "my Ginny").

A parent might try changing the words to a familiar tune. The tune of "Twinkle, twinkle little star/How I wonder what you are" may be sung in this manner to a child: "Pick your favorite book from the shelf/Come and sit down on my lap." Note the adaptation of rhythm and the absence of rhyming words. Children do not seem to notice or care about these differences, and respond readily to the sung directions.

A child may also analyze the concepts of reality/fantasy illustrated in these songs. Does the cradle really hang in the tree-top as it does in "Rock-a-Bye Baby"? Will Daddy really buy all of those wonderful things in "Hush, Little Baby" if she goes to sleep?

Both mothers and fathers should seize every opportunity to sing and read to their children. While the effort and time expended are small, the rewards are great. Some are intangible and may take years to realize. But the parent who rocks and sings to a sleepy child may one day hear the rocking chair creak again - as a soft voice sings to a new generation while the day draws to a close and a tiny, tired body seeks the comfort of loving arms.

[1]. E.E. Gordon, Primary Measures of Music Audiation (Test Manual), Chicago, G.I.A. Publications, 1979.

[2]. M. Kemper, "How Young Is Early Enough?," Music Educators Journal, Feb. 1971.

[3]. M. Brand, "Lullabies That Awaken Musicality in Infants," Music Educators Journal, March 1985.

[4]. A. Mayer, "The Magic of Music," American baby, Aug. 1985.

[5]. Ibid.

[6]. N. Larrick, When the Dark Comes Dancing, New York, Philomel Books, 1983.

[7]. Brand, op. cit.

[8]. Larrick, op. cit.

[9]. P. Carfra, "Lullabies: For Babies Only?" Early Childhood Music Newsletter, Sept.-Oct. 1985, and J. Lind and C. Hardgrove, "Lullabies," Children Today, Jul.-Aug. 1978.