The throat is the communication center of your body.  Your throat can be used in verbal and non-verbal ways:  verbally as in speech, non-verbally as in humming.

Humming enhances your brain power and calms the nerves. Humming deeply, will create more resonance. And creating more resonance generates the intention behind it. For example, humming softly, melodically in the ear of your child helps calm her. Whereas, humming in staccato (the musical signature of short, quick beats) or deliberate popping sounds can uplift your child’s mood from distressed to delighted.

Both kinds of humming is a kind of sonic meditation in which you vibrate! Literally, you vibrate your skull and brain with your lips closed. Doing this for about three minutes will put you into an altered state of consciousness and will transmit this trace-like state to your child which is very calming for both of you. Webster’s dictionary defines hum as “to run smoothly”. I love that!

This process has been well researched in the field of sound healing and it is called entrainment. Entrainment is being in rhythm with our child, activity, surroundings and with the Universe. Grandmothers singing lullabies and indigenous peoples using chanting and drumming knew the power of sound healing. We can bring back these ancient practices for modern times as we incorporate techniques for raising the resilient child.

Besides having the calming effect, it is interesting to note, that the humming vibration actually wakes up your brain cells and makes you receptive to ideas and subconscious information. So if you want to tune up your brain, hum to yourself.

When you are attuned to your surroundings, you are able to pay attention to the vibrational nature of all life.

Teach your child to connect with you for the purpose of calming down together.

We know from neuroscience when you exhale, as in blowing out a candle, the area of the brain called the medulla oblongata triggers the “Relaxation Response” a process developed by Harvard cardiologist, Herbert Benson, MD. who wrote the New York Times best selling book by the same name. A must read if you want to be convinced of the beneficial effects for adults and children.

Also use the deep breathing practice with outdoor fun by blowing out dandelion puffs and bubbles.This simple out breath, activates the brain and heart to bring about the relaxation response—isn’t that amazing?