About
Lullaby Massage
Three ways it helps families:
User-friendly instructions in poetry and art deliver a parenting practice that's simple, sweet, and effective
Massage is a gentle, evidence-based way to support children’s emotional regulation, stress reduction, and physical comfort — and when instructions are delivered through poetry and art, it becomes easy for caregivers to do with confidence and warmth. Alongside brilliant illustrations, caregivers receive guidance through poems that convey directions which are easily absorbed. This form of messaging eliminates wordy instructions and the need to simultaneously count strokes, watch the clock, and figure out what comes next. Freed from these distractions, caregivers can stay fully present and attuned to their children. The result is a strategy with known benefits to children’s mental and physical well-being, without negative side effects and without some of the burden often associated with prescribed treatments. Essentially, Lullaby Massage creates care interactions that feel natural, sustainable, and are more likely to be welcomed rather than resisted.
Each massage is paired with a poem, creating an experience that's peaceful and precious
Lullaby Massage taps the rhyme-and-touch technique, in which each massage technique is accompanied by a poem. This means that in addition to feeling the tender touch of a caring parent’s hands, children are soothed by the sound of their caregiver’s voice. For those who comprehend spoken language, the poems offer yet another layer of experience through words, some that express humor and whimsy, and others that communicate closeness and comfort. Together, these elements create beauty in a shared experience that invites feelings of comfort and relaxation.
A specially designed sequence helps children unwind —
and nurtures bonding along the way
Lullaby Massage begins with children being engaged by playful poems while facing forward, so they can watch their caregivers deliver hand, foot, arm, and leg massages. This allows children time to become comfortable with both the massage and the caregiver before turning away for massage of the shoulders, back, and head. At this juncture, soothing strokes are combined with poems that express tenderness and warmth, creating an experience that is deeply satisfying. While difficult to measure in research, countless parents and therapists recognize that experience of this nature fosters a sense of togetherness that resonates with children and supports the child-caregiver bond.