UNS — Ardhito Pramono, one of Indonesia’s talented singers, just released his new album, Something New, on Wednesday (14/4/2021). Unlike his previous works, Something New is a children’s song as an opening of his short album, Semar & Pasukan Monyet.
The singer of Fine Today works on this project because he is concerned about the number of children who sing adult songs. Which he thinks is not suitable for their psychology, especially those of one to six years old. This concern is not a new topic, which raises the question of how to choose songs that match a child’s psychology and development.
According to Berliana Widi Scarvanovi, S.Psi., M.Psi., Teacher of Development Psychology Faculty of Medical Science (FK) UNS, children should not listen to or sing adult songs. Especially those with romantic love between men and women. Psychologically, there are development stages from baby to old, with its distinct targets and standards. Children of the age (1 – 6 years old) should receive a stimulus on what they can do, how to do it, and when to do it. These children are exploring, and arts should have a theme about themselves or self-management and master the environment.
“For example, songs that teach waking up in the morning, tidying bed. Then ‘If You Like it Clap Your Hand’ introduces emotion. Thus, stimulation from songs, films, and other arts should be around those themes. (They should not listen) to songs that do not match their childhood challenges,” Tidak boleh lagu-lagu yang belum sesuai dengan tantangan yang seharusnya dihadapi pada masa anak-anak,” Berliana explained to uns.ac.id, Thursday (15/4/2021).
Regarding the impact of adult songs on children (from toddler to the first grade) who do not fully understand what they sing, they are likely just imitating. However, their cognitive function will develop, and at a certain level, they will start asking the diction in those songs. For example, the meaning of love or girlfriend/boyfriend. If parents cannot provide appropriate answers, kids will ask their friends or other people and received inappropriate information, which is the concerning part of this process.
“Children get information and stimulation that are inappropriate for their age. The other impacts can vary. I think one of the impacts is early dating. (They) get stimulation from songs and films with ‘Parental Advisory’ label, but they watched and listened freely,” she said.
When can Children Listen to Adult Songs?
Berliana said that the dating theme is appropriate for the young adult stage around 19 years old based on their development stages. But children can start listening in their adolescence (13 – 18 years old) because they start to develop an interest in the opposite sex at these ages. But advisory is needed based on the content. “For me, it depends on the content. For example, a song about newspaper boys/girls, like Iwan Fals’ song, is okay. So the songs with a family theme, life, are okay to be introduced to children,” Berliana revealed.
Berliana also emphasized that a singer’s age should not deceive parents. Children’s songs these days, even though the singer is a child, often contain adult content.
The Benefit of Song and Music
Listening to music or song has many benefits, according to Berliana, to stimulate linguistic development, besides the stimulation from direct speech. This stimulation is strongly correlated with the stimulation through five senses during a child’s early age, including their hearing. A child, Berliana said, cannot directly sing the song they heard or copy the words in the song. But it will appear when they grow older and have the ability to say it clearly.
“Song also give a calming effect on children. Some children like to do activities when there is a background song. It gives a stimulating effect; they feel happy. Or fall asleep listening to classical music. Each genre has a different function,” she explained. Humas UNS
Reporter: Kaffa Hidayati
Editor: Dwi Hastuti
