Tag Archives: Quiet time

How Loud is Too Loud – Part II

Adorable girl hearingHave you ever noticed that we live in a very noisy world?

We’ve just published a short but very important post talking about noise levels and children (http://www.tinytappingtoes.com/uncategorized/how-loud-is-too-loud-part-1/).  But many parents also wonder about related issues that are also worth considering.  Here are some common sense answers that might help when thinking about sound, music and other types of entertainment or media in relation to young children.

Talk to Me, Mommy!

Don’t forget that the human brain learned how to develop in a world that consisted mainly of other humans speaking, singing or talking.  The added stimulation from t.v., radio and electronic devices are fairly new and although they can provide helpful and educational content, most studies show that the input from human contact makes the most difference to a child.  Whenever possible, experts suggest that parents emphasize “one-on-one time” speaking or interacting with a baby or young child and downplay external media, no matter how educational it might seem.

Silence is Golden

Similarly, having some time for quiet, quiet activities, family conversation or turning off electronic media can help everyone in the family feel more relaxed and calm.  Believe it or not, even when there’s no media playing, a child’s brain is still performing the important function of listening and cataloguing sounds such as a bird singing, a phone ringing, siblings chatting or a car passing by.

Turning down the noise level can often help a child process the world around them in a way that is meaningful and integrated.   In case after case, studies show that in regard to external noise and electronic media – less is often more.

When In Doubt, Turn It Down

And since we’ve all gotten used to a louder world, it helps to give some thought to things like stereo speakers in cars or where a baby is seated in a room.  If a car seat is buckled in a location with the car’s speaker is nearby, what may seem like a reasonable volume to the driver, might easily be too loud for the child whose ears are closer to the source of the sound.

In the same way, what might seem like a normal t.v. or radio volume to a parent cooking dinner across a room, might be too loud for a child seated next to the sound source.

When in Doubt – Check It Out

It makes perfect sense that a child might cry when hearing noises that are too loud for them.  But what if they continue to express discomfort with sound or sound levels when things seem to be at a reasonable volume?  In this case, visit your pediatrician.  Although most children receive a hearing screening before leaving a hospital or birth center, regular check-ups can detect problems and solve them in a timely manner.

Nemours, a non-profit education medical website has these comments about treatment regular check-ups and hearing loss:

“Treatment for hearing loss can be the most effective if it’s started by the time a child is 6 months old.  Kids who seem to have normal hearing should continue to have their hearing evaluated at regular doctors’ appointments. Hearing tests are usually done at ages 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 15, and 18, and any other time if there’s a concern.”

Speak Up, Turn It Down!

Recently I attended a party that was a benefit for pediatric brain cancer.  Sadly; as entertainment, the hosts had hired a dj who insisted on playing music so loud it could cause hearing loss in small children, many of which were playing near the speakers.

If you’re having a party or visiting one where the noise level is questionable or too high, speak up!  DJ’s are often situated behind their speakers and may not recognize the noise level for guests in the room.  And, if it’s still a concern, let the musicians, dj or party host know how you feel.  Damaging noise levels can create problems for children, some of which won’t appear immediately but can have permanent and devastating results.

Again, you can check out the facts in our latest post about children, ear protection and hearing loss as well as at the Nemours KidsHealth Website at the links below.

Resources

How Loud is Too Loud –Part 1 http://www.tinytappingtoes.com/uncategorized/how-loud-is-too-loud-part-1/

Hearing Evaluation Information For Children From The Nemours KidsHealth Website:
http://kidshealth.org/parent/general/eyes/hear.html

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Best Instruments For Quiet Time With A Child!

playing rainstick in the grassMost people associate making music with expressing yourself, having fun and making noise!  Although its great fun to sing, dance and play an instrument, there are also many world traditions that use music to quiet the soul, to learn to listen and to encourage rest, sleep or meditation.  Quiet time instruments or music are perfect for sharing with your children around naptime, bedtime or for a break during a busy  day.

The Rainstick

Originally, rainsticks were made from a special cactus whose long “arms” dried and fell to the ground. They were filled with seeds, beads or pebbles and as these tiny objects fell from one side of the cactus to the other, the sound that emerged was like a gentle rain or a quietly trickling stream. The sound of a rainstick (known in South America as palo de lluvia) is so peaceful and relaxing that it is often heard in meditation tapes or used as part of music therapy.

How do you play a rainstick?  You turn it up-side-down or hold it at an angle so that the contents can flow from one end to the other.  Notice the difference in sound when you hold it vertically or at an angle.  You can also “shimmy” the rainstick gently as it flows or hold it horizontally and shake it like a rattle.

How can you use the rainstick as a quiet time instrument?  “Play” the rainstick along with relaxing music until you feel like resting or try some of these games.

          A class or group of children listen to rainstick while a teacher turns it over.  When the last pebble falls, the first child with their hand up gets to be the new leader or wins that round.

          Try the above game with the children’s eyes closed.

          Try this game with young children at naptime in a preschool setting.  After each child has a chance to play the rainstick, they lie down to rest.  The teacher picks each student by seeing which one is waiting most quietly and giving them the first turns until everyone is ready to rest.

Use your own ideas and make up your own games or rainstick activities.  Don’t have a rainstick?  You can win one from DARIA’s world music for kids website or make your own version from simple, recycled materials, by checking out the links below.

The Ocean Drum

The sound of the surf can be so soothing.  And playing an ocean drum, can help you bring the quiet sound of ocean waves right into your classroom or home, creating a relaxing space to rest or refocus your energies.

What is an ocean drum?  It’s a two-sided drum with clear material stretched over a round frame.  Inside the drum are small round objects such as bee-bees or pebbles.  As the drum is tilted back and forth, the tiny objects move across the head of the drum creating a sound remarkably like ocean waves gently breaking on a beach.

By holding the drum at different angles, the player can control how the waves move – quickly and enthusiastically or softly and quietly.  Along with the repetitive sound, the look of the small objects moving back and forth can create a relaxing experience that is remarkably comforting for any child but one that is especially appreciated by children on the autistic spectrum.

Don’t have an ocean drum?  You can make your own version from a shipping box.  Find the simple instructions at the link below.

bronze singing bowl 2Singing Bowl and Tingsha

In the near future, we’ll do a detailed article on using these additional two instruments for relaxation and quiet time with small children.  In the meantime, you can to find more general information and a “Make Your Own Tingsha” post at the links below.

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Links:

Make Your Own Rainstick

http://www.dariamusic.com/docs/RAINSTICK%20Instructions.pdf

Make Your Own Ocean Drum

http://www.dariamusic.com/docs/Ocean%20Drum%20Instructions.pdf

The Singing Bowl

http://makingmulticulturalmusic.wordpress.com/2013/02/16/gongs-handbells-and-singing-bowls-three-great-instruments-for-exploring-the-culture-of-china-tibet-nepal-and-asia/

Make Your Own Tinghsa

http://www.dariamusic.com/docs/MakeYourOwnTingsha.pdf