 
What is Baby Song? Baby Song began as a Salvation Army initiative in Sweden, and quickly spread to both Norway and Denmark in the early 90’s. It has since been picked up in other countries as well, including The United Kingdom and The Netherlands, and has now come to the USA Southern Territory.
Baby Song has been successful in reaching un-churched families in many places. It is more than just a program – it is about relations and fellowship. It is about making a positive impact, by the means of music, singing and dancing.
This resource file has been put together specifically for the USA Southern Territory. Parts of the material have been translated and adapted from Swedish, Norwegian and Danish materials. Captain A. A. Margareta Ivarsson, presently serving as an officer in the USA Eastern Territory, played a vital role in starting Baby Song within The Salvation Army, and much of the original Scandinavian material is her work.
The following paragraphs are quotes from material by Captain Ivarsson, 2002:
“Parents have always been singing to their children as a natural way to communicate and be together. The new thing about Baby Song groups is that parents and their babies can meet others in the same situation, build relationships and make music together in a fun and safe environment. This art of music starts with our voices as our main instrument. Singing, experiencing rhythm, dancing and ‘just being’ in the moment in a creative environment, are all vital parts of this program.
BACKGROUND
It all started with
Doctor John Lind's (1909-1983) curiosity about the
fetus and what it can experience in the mother's
womb. After years of research we now know a lot
about what the fetus can experience, hear and feel.
In the fifth month of pregnancy and possibly earlier
the fetus can hear sounds; it's mother's voice &
pulse and even sounds from outside of the womb.
Parents are able to relate to their unborn baby
through musical experiences, songs, playing
instruments and listening to music together.
BABY-SONG GROUPS This research stimulated music teachers and others working with young children to start Baby Song groups. Some music teachers in different churches in Sweden saw the possibility of a new way of communicating with young families through the church. Since the late 80's, Baby Song groups have been developed in Sweden. The Salvation Army in Sweden picked up the program in the early 90's and has seen a tremendous growth for the last decade affecting every aspect of its ministry and mission.
BABY SONG AND THE
CHURCH Why is this program successful in churches? Churches have a broad music tradition. We have facilities and instruments. We have music included in almost everything we do. People who are not affiliated with a church often have little or no access to music and even if they do, they do not share in the weekly habit of singing together with others. Doing Baby Song also brings new people into the church and every healthy church welcomes this phenomenon as Christ welcomes everyone into the kingdom of God.
FAMILY MINISTRY Traditionally, churches and The Salvation Army in particular have had plenty of outreach to children in well-developed Sunday School programs and other programs. The difference with Baby Song is that the initiative lies with the parent on behalf of the parent and the baby. This creates a family ministry that opens a new world of close contacts between Baby Song leaders, [corps officers] and families. SOCIAL FELLOWSHIP The social fellowship in the baby song group and outside of it creates an atmosphere of trust and safety that will determine whether the new family will feel at home in church just for a couple of months or for life. After the approximately 40 minute music program including singing, dancing, listening to music and playing and listening to rhythms, it is time for coffee break. When the children are fed or (if they are older) when they play with each other; the adults share discussions about almost everything from diaper changes and sleep schedules to what's happening in the community and whether this church offers baby dedications. This is a time to treasure when relationships can start to grow strong in the kingdom of God.
WHO IS RUNNING THE PROGRAM? It is important that the whole church is involved in this program. The music leader leads the music time, a "grandmother" or "grandfather" can lend a hand with older siblings or with coffee and cookies, the [corps officer] can make him/herself known and available. Special prayer groups can be encouraged to pray beforehand and during the program. It makes a difference. More than once new people have expressed that they feel like there is something ‘special’ and ‘powerful’ about the facilities where this program is happening. We can then explain that God is present in a special way because others are praying for us.
MUSIC ENVIRONMENT The idea is not just to do Baby Song once a week, but present to families music that they can use at home. For example; we learn songs to sing when the baby does not want to sleep, songs to have fun with, dances that strengthens the contact between parent and child and songs describing God as loving and caring for every child and family. Music can be used for many reasons, good or bad. In Baby Song, we make music in a positive way by expressing who we are before God, created in his image.”
BABY SONG OBJECTIVES
OVERALL OBJECTIVE
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