Sleep problems are usually caused by
unrealistic expectations of parents. They may also be caused by a lack
of soothing, pleasant, and reassuring bedtime rituals. Bedtime should
be one of the most enjoyable parts of your child's day. Effective
rituals calm the mind and relax the body. They strengthen the bond
between parent and child and thereby strengthen the family unit. If
your child is having trouble falling asleep or is troubled by waking up
during the night, incorporate some or all of the following bedtime
rituals into his or her daily routine.
Lullabies. Lull your child to sleep with soothing music. A lullaby
ritual is a proven way of helping babies and children to fall asleep.
Parents have been singing their children to sleep since the dawn of
time. Even animals lull their offspring to sleep with special
vocalizations. The deep purr of the mother cat has the effect of
lulling her kittens to sleep. It may be, therefore, analogous to the
lullaby of humans.
Music affects the deepest structures in the human brain. Therefore, the
choice of music is important. Babies respond best to soothing, quiet
classical melodies -- Mozart, Brahms, or Debussy. Soft classical music
has the effect of focusing the attention and inducing a deep state of
relaxation and calm. Bach composed his famous Goldberg Variations for
this very purpose. If you are a pianist, you may even want to try
playing a few relaxing pieces at bedtime.
Children are naturally musical and will have no hesitation in revealing
their favorite bedtime songs. Many children will prefer to sing to
their parents. The soothing effect of music, especially that produced
by the human voice, is ideal for lulling your child to sleep.
Pillow Talk: Helping your Child Get a Good Night's Sleep
Issue 96, September/October 1999 |
