A colorful sunset gradually turns to a purple evening sky while the moon slowly rises. Tiny koalas climb up trees on the distant ridge while late birds glide in to roost. Occasional mysterious bats fly overhead, bound for some distant forest.

These visual clues to night-time drowsiness can be accompanied by running water, crickets and frogs. A richly orchestrated music track can also be added. Over a period of time the arrangement gradually changes. Instruments fade away and the tempo gradually gets slower. Eventually a soft gentle music loop continues for around an hour. If the child (or adult) is already drowsy you can choose to select the quiet loop from the start.

The soundtrack is best heard at low volume, as if the sounds are coming from outside somewhere. If you wish the track to play for an extended time you will need to go to Settings / General / Auto Lock and set the timer to “never”. Don’t forget to change the setting back once you have finished with the app, otherwise your batteries will drain more quickly.

Written and arranged by Peter Harris, the music combines simple elements. The melody is diatonic and the accompanying chords are drawn from the same scale. The instrumental sounds are warm and dreamy and there is no dramatic tension. So the music is relaxing, peaceful and dreamy. You do not need headphones so you can listen comfortably.

Inspired by night-time in the Australian Bush, the Sleepy Bedtime Music is part of a long term childrens’ project set in Secret Gully, a rugged lost valley in the Granite Mountains of NSW. The project includes iBooks, music and Puppetry and aims to help children learn to love the environment and our remarkable wildlife. More information is available on the Secret Gully website.

This delightful app is very helpful for restless children, but be warned...it is also very effective and relaxing for adults too! So be prepared to feel drowsy and relaxed if you are in earshot of the music.