Emma Hooper

Are there songs that can move you to tears? If so, you aren’t alone. Music can evoke particularly strong feelings - and you don’t have to be an adult to experience its power. So many of you have shared this video with me over the last several weeks. And it’s just fascinating to watch. Here two-year-old Chase and his mother engage in negotiation over a bedtime song: You are My Sunshine. Recently the song has evoked strong emotions for Chase - so mom expresses some trepidation, not wanting to make him cry. But Chase - who appears to be all up in his feelings even as the video begins - is ready for the emotional release he knows the song will bring. My favorite part of this whole video is his little grin when he suggests he won’t cry. He knows full well that it’s coming. And so does mom. Music activates the limbic system, increasing blood flow to regions in the brain responsible for controlling emotion. And can be an aid in helping us regulate our emotions - whether young or old. I love that Chase can identify how he’s feeling and what he needs to release and resolve it. That’s emotional maturity we could all benefit from from time to time. This thoughtful little guy was shared to TT by jillianjames31.