How young is too young?

[JanR]

While newborns are too young to consciously be aware of these things, I believe they can still absorb subconsciously, on some level, what goes on around them, and that this can stay with them.

I believe that young children should be introduced to nature and develop an appreciation for it as soon in their lives as possible.

For this reason, at baby showers, I have gifted CDs with bird songs on them that I’ve purchased from Wild Birds Unlimited. The parents sometimes think this is a little strange, but if they would play those CDs in the nursery and let their infants absorb those wonderful sounds, and later, when they’re older, still let them listen to them, and then go outside and hear the living birds and watch their fascinating behaviors, I think this would be a very good thing for the kids, for our planet, and for society as a whole.

How young is too young to expose kids to the sights and sounds of nature? I say it should be done (safely) as soon as possible after they’re born. Or, better yet, while they’re still inside the womb. They won’t understand what they’re hearing, but it will still be there, and it will make a wonderful impact on their lives.

 

[Trishie]

Dear Jan,
I don’t think there is a ‘too early’, at least for the sounds.
Even unborn babies surely hear through the thin walls that separate them from the outside world.
Your gifts are treasures.

 

[Trishie]

And no, i learned the importance of stimulating my sons intelligence and sensitivity to colour, shape, texture, and to nature … flowers, tres, the sky, birds, insects,.
And the music of pleasantly modulated speech, eg, in poetry as in normal speech, and the magic of melody … and so my sons have retained the benefits throughout childhood and adulthood.
That kind of ‘teaching promotes empathy fellow human beings, as also with nature.

I think you have a wonderful understanding of how to convey blessing to children’s lives

 

[TheLittleLady]

For this reason, at baby showers, I have gifted CDs with bird songs on them that I’ve purchased from Wild Birds Unlimited.

I prefer to gift off the registry. I do think parents are often afraid to let their child be outdoors, and that is sad. Maybe you could offer to come take the baby for walks outside?

ETA At the very least, find out ahead of time if the family owns a CD player. We have not owned one for many years, all of our music is saved digitally.

 

[JanR]

I keep forgetting how sophisticated we have become with technology. In the rural area in which we live, a lot of folks still have CD players. But, you advice is good. It pays to find out if the prospective parents have one.

 

[Rozellelily]

Personally I think your gifts sound lovely.
Do you think they believe it’s strange because of the age or could it be instead because they might mis perceive it as something new -agey?
Are you giving the CDs after the baby is born or before?
Before might come off a bit strange tbh.Not everyone will be open to playing to sounds to a baby in the womb and they think it’s a bit “hippy like”.

 

[JanR]

I think it might be because they weren’t expecting something like that, when all the other gifts at the shower were the typical baby gifts – diapers, bottle warmers, etc.

If they don’t comprehend playing bird songs while the baby is still inside the womb, they can wait until he or she is born and play them in the nursery. Or, wait until the kid is a little older, and maybe accompany the sounds with a children’s bird book that shows pictures of the various birds on the CD. There are various ways to inspire a child’s interest in birds and in nature, generally. I just like for them to get a good head start.

 

[Peeps]

I don’t know about anyone else, but I kinda think that the best way to inspire a child’s interest in birds and nature is to take them outside first, and then buy the CDs, videos, etc. so that they can re-visit their outdoor experiences on the days when the weather doesn’t allow them to be outside for long, or when no one has time to take them to the forest, etc.

I have no objection to playing soothing bird noises and other outdoor noises for baby (and mother) while the child is in the womb. I would be a little teensy bit wary of playing soothing noises after the baby is born as a way to help them drift off to sleep. Here’s the deal–do not EVER do ANYTHING with a tiny baby that you aren’t willing to continue for many years, perhaps forever!

I’m serious! That includes background noises, music, etc. while the child is falling asleep. I’m 62, and since childhood, I have not been able to fall asleep without a fan noise. If I am on an overnight trip, and I forget to pack my little fan, I have to forage out to an all-night store like Meijers or WalMart and ask them to find a fan for me (if it’s in the winter, often all the fans are in the stockroom at the bottom of stack of boxes!).

So it’s very rare for me to forget my little fan!

Even if I am staying in the hospital–I have to have a fan!

LIke I said, don’t start it unless you want to do it forEVER!

:crazy_face: