Music is a language even the youngest children understand. Even a newborn can be soothed by song, and hearing Mum's voice croon or sing is part of the bonding process. When a mother sings to the baby in her arms, their whole body receives and internalises her rhythms.
Lullabies are probably the oldest form of song and can be found in every culture. Their lyrics, like those of nursery rhymes, are often 'nonsensical' as they were never intended for adult ears ('When you wake you will have cake, and all the pretty little horses ...').
Parents and caregivers also use songs or chants for play, dandling the child on their knee to a tune or rhyme: 'Trot, trot to market to buy a pound of butter, Trot, trot home again, Drop her in the gutter!' Babies love the accompanying rhythm, clapping, tickling and bouncing. Other jingles go with bath time, dressing time ('This little piggy went to market') or washing up after meals ('This is the way we wash our face').
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