This week parents, babies and assembled guests flexed their vocal chords at a special event, the first of its kind in the country, called ‘Sing to Your Baby’, which encouraged parents to sing to their babies to boost mental development.

Led by Pete Dowse, Chickenshed’s Creative Producer, it saw the Mayor of Enfield, Cllr Bernadette Lappage, join with Cllr Ayfer Orhan, Enfield Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, Children’s Services & Protection, to meet with parents and their babies to bring everyone together through song.

The tuneful affair, which was led by Cllr Lappage and arranged by the Enfield Music Service, was held in conjunction with The Chickenshed Theatre company who wrote a special song just for the day.

Research has highlighted the important benefits to be gained through an early active involvement with music and singing which has been embraced by the Early Years curriculum for preschool children. Studies have shown that active music making helps children develop their speech, vocabulary and language skills.

The singalong is supportive of Cllr Lappage’s music charity, ‘Enfield Sounds Great’, a year-long musical festival dedicated to raising funds to support various musical causes in the borough.

The Mayor of Enfield, Cllr Bernadette Lappage, said “This is a unique project that really brings home how important it is for parents and babies to bond through music.

“It has been proven that babies can hear voices while in the womb, and the benefits of both mums and dads taking time out to sing to their newborn, helping bonding and bringing calmness to both of you.

“I was delighted to join with Cllr Orhan to help bring the gift of music to our youngest residents.”

Enfield Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, Children’s Services & Protection, Cllr Ayfer Orhan, said “The ‘Sing to Your Baby’ initiative is wonderful as it shows that it is never too early to sing to your baby, and introduce them to music, and hopefully foster a lifelong love of melody.

“Song is a special type of speech. Lullabies, songs and rhymes of every culture carry the melodies and inflections of a mother tongue, preparing a child’s ear, voice and brain for language.”