From Wibbleton to Wobbleton is Fifteen Miles
From Wobbleton to Wibbleton is Fifteen Miles
From Wibbleton to Wobbleton From Wobbleton to Wibbleton
From Wibbleton to Wobbleton is Fifteen Miles

Say it five times fast! Then, “slow down your horsies” and discover the beauty of this WeJoySing favorite. The sheer JOY of the sound of this bounce makes it delightful for baby. Each syllable works with the next to build a playful tongue twister. Toddlers’ ears perk up as their eyes fixate on the movement of their parents’ lips and mouths.

At first glance, this bounce looks like a simple game—just for fun—and if there were no other reason for it than JOY, it would be JUST AS VALUABLE, but WeJoySing parents have discovered that there is more going on here than meets the eye…or ear.

The development of a baby’s mind/body is directly linked to experience. Activities like this terrific BOUNCE contribute greatly to brain development. Exactly what is happening “along the road” (from the body’s movement to its brain) as we go from Wibbleton to Wobbleton?

Rhythmic Development
One obvious benefit is rhythmic awareness. Some researchers say that bounces merely help reinforce an understanding that our children are born with; others believe these activities actually implant rhythmic patterns or “vocabulary” onto our babies’ brains.

Brain scans have shown that even newborns have rhythm! According to a study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (Jan. 2009,) 2-to-3-day-old infants perceived musical patterns and “even took note when a drummer missed a beat.”1 Brain scans of these infants recorded their surprise (similar to the electrical brain activity of adults’ brains) when a drummer hesitated on the downbeat after an established pattern.

Though these finding point toward rhythmic understanding being “hard-wired” into the brain, Nadine Gaab, assistant professor of pediatrics at Children’s Hospital Boston asserts that these newborns could have learned about rhythm “from hearing music in the womb, feeling the rhythm of a mother’s movements or…heartbeat.”2

Language Over a Pulse
Whether rhythmic understanding is innate or learned, it can definitely be developed through experience. Moreover, bounces have benefits beyond teaching rhythm; they actually enhance language development. Words over the pulse of a steady beat, provided to a baby in the kinesthetic experience of a bounce, stimulate connections in the brain, strengthening language skills. Our spoken language has rhythmic qualities to it, and through bounces, babies begin to learn about a language’s rhythm. When the language of that bounce includes “non-sense syllables,” babies tend to imitate and respond even more positively.

Bounces also help toddlers to understand the nuances of a language, which has natural musical qualities. Bounces may also aid in understanding the nuances of communication. Henkjan Honing (co-author of the Academy study) expresses: “Following a beat is a vital part of cultural activities, from following the rhythm of a conversation to dancing or playing music with another person…It’s possible that babies are born with a musical sense because it helps communication.”3

Face-to-Face Communication and Parent-Child Bonding
WeJoySing teachers often say: “You are your child’s favorite toy.” Your baby doesn’t really want (or need) toys, she simply wants YOU. Your face next to hers as you look into her eyes and talk to her provides stimulation that leads not only to language development but to deep feelings of security and belonging.
“Attachment” is vital to our little ones’ future understanding (and living out) of healthy relationships. Dr. Roy H. Lubit points out, “The quality of [the parent-infant] relationship colors the person’s relationships for the rest of his or her life.”4

“Babies internalize their parents…as a secure base,” says Dr. Lubit. “This allows infants to feel internally safe and to confidently explore the world around them. It also allows them to experience positive interpersonal exchanges with other children. The infant can come back to the caregiver to refuel emotionally before proceeding with further explorations.”5

A Note from Mrs. Jo
Bouncing infants and toddlers provides MUCH more than what meets the eye…or ear. It’s truly a matter of the heart… the formation of a life-long bond. Can you think of any better reason to bounce?! Saddle up those horses, because from Wibbleton to Wobbleton, there’s more than fifteen miles. You might just find a lifetime of smiles.

Notes:
1-3 Szabo, Liz. “Babies Groove to a Beat—Maybe even before Birth,” USA Today Tuesday, January 27, 2009.
4-5 Roy H Lubit, MD, PhD, et. al. “Child Abuse & Neglect: Reactive Attachment Disorder,” updated August 2, 2006.

Looking for more Bounces?
We highly recommend John Feierabend’s “The Book of Bounces” (from the First Steps in Music series) available at "www.musicmotion.com" or Amazon.