Sensory outputs are synchronized to input tempos for providing soothing and other effects for children and other persons. In example embodiments, juvenile products such as rockers and swings have motors that are controlled to produce an oscillatory motion with an adaptive tempo that is synchronized to rhythmic inputs such as a parent's heartbeat. In other example embodiments, juvenile products such as music players are controlled to output signals to play songs via speakers with an adaptive tempo that is synchronized to rhythmic inputs such as an infant's respiratory rate.