How can new parents ensure they give their babies the best start in life? Many focus on finances, but what use is wealth without stable mental health, the ability to create and maintain lasting relationships, resilience and confidence to see us through life’s challenges?
These go hand in hand with language development. It’s essential children can express themselves, communicate and interract with others, as well as learn and develop themselves and their relationship with others and the world around them. The free Baby Massage and Yoga groups provided by Cymraeg i Blant, offer the perfect support for new families in starting baby on the right path. There’s a warm welcome to non-Welsh Families and fluent Welsh speakers alike.
Cymraeg i Blant is a project run by the Mudiad Meithrin – the Welsh medium early year’s specialist – and part of the Welsh Government’s 2050 ‘Million Welsh Speakers Strategy’. We are passionate about ensuring every child has the chance to play, learn and grow through the medium of Welsh. It’s well documented that a sense of belonging is vitally important to the mental health of children and young people. The ability to participate fully in local social, sport and cultural events as well as school life, is ensured when children can chat, make friends and have fun through the medium of Welsh. What better way to start this process enjoying simple songs in fun relaxed baby groups?
During a 5 week course of baby massage, parents and babies are able to build on the all-important 1-1 bonding process. Cymraeg i Blant officers encourage constant parent-baby eye contact whilst demonstrating massage moves and singing simple, Welsh songs which both lull baby and introduce language patterns. Massage is known to release oxytocin, further helping to relax both parent and baby and strengthen the attachment.
Families are encouraged to progress from massage to baby yoga which reinforces the bonding process as well as offering the chance to learn new songs and expressions that can be used with little one at home.
Some moves involve triggering the ‘moro’ or ‘startle’ reflex followed by reassuring cuddles and loving expressions that from the very start help baby learn about emotional strength, resilience and help them gain confidence. ‘Things can go wrong but it’s alright’.
Other moves trigger the calming reflex which, combined with hearing mum or dad sing simple rhymes, help baby relax and associate song and language with positive feelings.
Allowing time in the sessions to focus on oneself and on one another provides a simple introduction to both mindfulness and relationship building. We are giving babies a ‘toolkit’ to help ensure positive mental health in the future and at the core of this is language and song.
Post-natal depression, which can effect both mums and dads, can have lasting effects on all family members. Regular feedback from questionnaires and case studies have shown that our sessions have wide ranging benefits for families in terms of mental health as well as language learning and development and offer a vital opportunity for new parents to make friends.
For more info about Cymraeg i Blant services and examples of case studies use:
www.meithrin.cymru/cymraegiblant
Marion Mayhead
Lead Officer Cymraeg i Blant West Wales