Connecting Families Through Music: Play Free and the Lullaby Project

June 24, 2025, Topeka, Kansas  – The Kansas Children’s Discovery Center, in partnership with the Kansas Department of Corrections, is proud to bring The Lullaby Project to Kansas—a national initiative of Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute that connects new and expectant parents with professional musicians to write personal lullabies for their children. A powerful new video produced by KDOC shares the stories of families served by the program.

This project creates something simple and powerful: a parent’s voice, recorded in song, that their child can hear anytime. For families separated by incarceration, it’s a small but meaningful way to stay connected.

Kansas’ First Lullaby Project

In the spring of 2025, six mothers at the Topeka Correctional Facility participated in Kansas’ first Lullaby Project, creating eight lullabies. Working with Board Certified Music Therapists Rae Gill and Holly Taylor, each mom wrote and recorded original lullabies for their children. The lyrics came from letters, memories, and hopes—shaped into songs that reflect their children’s personalities and needs.

“We didn’t want it to be all lulla-byish,” one mother said. “We wanted it to be something they could listen to when they’re older and still feel connected.”

The recordings were placed inside hand-sewn quilts selected by each mother for her child. These quilts and recordings offer children something tangible—something to hold, and something to hear, when physical presence isn’t possible.

For some participants, this was the first opportunity to express themselves directly to their children since giving birth while incarcerated.

“I haven’t had a lot of bonding time,” one mom explained. “So I was excited to create something just for them.”

Built on Play Free

The Lullaby Project is part of the Discovery Center’s Play Free program, a play-based education initiative for children and their incarcerated parents. Since 2018, Play Free has brought families together outside prison walls for full days of bonding at the Discovery Center and in the community with the Mobile Museum. In 2024, the program expanded to serve fathers and juvenile parents statewide.

Play Free is designed to strengthen family bonds, support child development, and create opportunities for incarcerated parents to be present and engaged—even under difficult circumstances.

The need is clear: more than five million children in the U.S. have had a parent in prison. Research shows these children are at higher risk for physical and mental health challenges. Programs like Play Free give families tools to stay connected and build relationships through play and creativity.

“We’ve always centered our work around children,” said Discovery Center President and CEO Dené Mosier. “This is about creating meaningful experiences that help them feel loved and supported, no matter what their family is going through.”

Looking Ahead

This first Lullaby Project pilot has already sparked interest from other Kansas correctional facilities, including those serving men and juvenile populations. With continued funding and support, the Discovery Center hopes to expand the project and reach more families.

“We’ve had facilities asking, ‘How can dads do this too?’” Mosier said. “We’re committed to growing this work so more Kansas kids can benefit.”

The Discovery Center and its partners are now actively fundraising to make that possible.

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