Music education is a vital part of a child's life. Research shows that or abilities to sing in tune, move to a steady beat, and yes, hear music in our heads, are all formed by the time we are 8 or 9 years old. That doesn't mean you can't learn to sing or dance or play the piano after the third grade, but the learning windows for musical aptitudes do begin to close.
Do you ever hear a song in your head over and over again? Can you imagine not being able to hear music this way? Audiation, the ability to hear music when no musical sound is present, is an acquired skill. Similar to thinking thoughts without talking aloud, when you audiate, you internalize and 'think' music. To practice audiation with your children, leave off the last word of a favorite song. Stop completely. Observe and listen to your child. What is the reaction? When you play this game with familiar songs, you are engaging your child's ability to think and 'speak' with you musically. This is also a great way to increase their memory recall skills.
Repetition is a critical part of your child's growth and development between the ages of birth and seven years old. Repetition aids in strengthening the neural pathways in the brain. So when your child has a favorite book or a favorite song and says "Play it again, read it again, let's dance again!" Do it and have a wonderful time!
Friday, February 25, 2011
Monday, February 21, 2011
My first publishing....
I'm so excited for my first published ad. The first 3 people to tell me where they find it win a free Kindermusik book for their kiddos! Leave a comment or email/call me when you find it!
Friday, February 18, 2011
Kindermusik helps the whole child
Kindermusik provides a whole child approach to music education. Children move and sing, play musical games, learn about music in other cultures, talk about and listen to the instruments of the orchestra, develop their discriminative listening skills, build self-esteem through group interaction and music making, begin to read and write basic musical notation and much more.
I've taught private piano lessons for six years now and I often get calls from eager parents, ready to spend money on private music lessons for their 3, 4, or 5 year olds. I first ask them, how are the children's fine motor skills? Are they reading? How big are their hands? Are they ready to sit and focus to practice at least 15-20 minutes each day? Probably not, so Kindermusik is great bridge to connect the desire for parents to introduce their young children to music education. By the time children have completed a 2 year Kindermusik class, they have played a pre-keyboard instrument, a simple string instrument, and a wind instrument. They are eager to pursue private lessons and have more staying power! They've also learned musical concepts and theories and are ready to enjoy learning a specific instrument.
when you choose a music program, make sure it is compatible with you and your child. Be prepared to be an active participant and supporter of your child's music experience. It could be one of the best investment you ever make!
I've taught private piano lessons for six years now and I often get calls from eager parents, ready to spend money on private music lessons for their 3, 4, or 5 year olds. I first ask them, how are the children's fine motor skills? Are they reading? How big are their hands? Are they ready to sit and focus to practice at least 15-20 minutes each day? Probably not, so Kindermusik is great bridge to connect the desire for parents to introduce their young children to music education. By the time children have completed a 2 year Kindermusik class, they have played a pre-keyboard instrument, a simple string instrument, and a wind instrument. They are eager to pursue private lessons and have more staying power! They've also learned musical concepts and theories and are ready to enjoy learning a specific instrument.
when you choose a music program, make sure it is compatible with you and your child. Be prepared to be an active participant and supporter of your child's music experience. It could be one of the best investment you ever make!
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Music on the Brain
So last night I did something I NEVER do. While my hubby was making an amazing Valentine's meal I sat down on the couch and turned the TV on. The National News was on, not sure which one even but I'm so glad I turned it on when I did.
They were doing a story on the AZ state senator Gabrielle Gifford (this is not political so please read on). They were interviewing her Dr.'s and asked them what rehabilitation activities/exercises they were focusing on. Would you believe it if I told you the Doctor said "We're teaching her to sing." Yep!!! The interviewer asked why not speech first? The Dr said, ' Speech alone is isolated to the left brain, while music is in the right brain. So by using the power and effects of music to help her sing simple songs, even Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star or Old MacDonald she will use her right AND left brain. When we sing we are using speech (left brain) but we are also using our creative side of the right brain for rhythm and beat, as well as pitch and melody so it is a more integrated way to learn. Whenever we use both sides of the brain at the same time it produces new pathways and strengthens our power to learn. As well as singing a melody uses our memory recall and sequencing abilities at the same time."
I love music and the power it can have in a little ones' life! We are helping our kiddos so much by giving them the gift of music and challenging their little brains in such a complex, multi-level way of learning. But it's so fun and they love it!!! Even better!
They were doing a story on the AZ state senator Gabrielle Gifford (this is not political so please read on). They were interviewing her Dr.'s and asked them what rehabilitation activities/exercises they were focusing on. Would you believe it if I told you the Doctor said "We're teaching her to sing." Yep!!! The interviewer asked why not speech first? The Dr said, ' Speech alone is isolated to the left brain, while music is in the right brain. So by using the power and effects of music to help her sing simple songs, even Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star or Old MacDonald she will use her right AND left brain. When we sing we are using speech (left brain) but we are also using our creative side of the right brain for rhythm and beat, as well as pitch and melody so it is a more integrated way to learn. Whenever we use both sides of the brain at the same time it produces new pathways and strengthens our power to learn. As well as singing a melody uses our memory recall and sequencing abilities at the same time."
I love music and the power it can have in a little ones' life! We are helping our kiddos so much by giving them the gift of music and challenging their little brains in such a complex, multi-level way of learning. But it's so fun and they love it!!! Even better!
Friday, February 11, 2011
Music Matters
All over the world, parents bond with their babies through musical sounds and rhythmic movement. They rock and swing their children, put them to sleep with lullabies, make them laugh with nursery rhymes. Parents know instinctively what scientists have now proven: young children thrive on music.
Psychologists, neuroscientists, an experts in early childhood development have demonstrated that music does more for children than bring them joy; it helps their brain cells make the connections needed for virtually every kind of intelligence. Kindermusik's curriculum is built on this research.
When young children are consistently engaged by music in an age-appropriate, socially accepting environment, they benefit at many levels;
* They gain the phonological processing, spoken language, and comprehension skills that are the foundation of reading.
* They build the spatial-temporal and reasoning skills required for math, science, and engineering.
* They develop social and emotional skills that are essential for school readiness-like the ability to regulate their responses and relate to others in complex ways.
By moving and dancing to music and playing simple instruments, children improve their gross and fine motor skills. Activities that encourage freedom within a fun and friendly structure spark their creativity.
and of course, they develop a lifelong love of music.
Psychologists, neuroscientists, an experts in early childhood development have demonstrated that music does more for children than bring them joy; it helps their brain cells make the connections needed for virtually every kind of intelligence. Kindermusik's curriculum is built on this research.
When young children are consistently engaged by music in an age-appropriate, socially accepting environment, they benefit at many levels;
* They gain the phonological processing, spoken language, and comprehension skills that are the foundation of reading.
* They build the spatial-temporal and reasoning skills required for math, science, and engineering.
* They develop social and emotional skills that are essential for school readiness-like the ability to regulate their responses and relate to others in complex ways.
By moving and dancing to music and playing simple instruments, children improve their gross and fine motor skills. Activities that encourage freedom within a fun and friendly structure spark their creativity.
and of course, they develop a lifelong love of music.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Problem Solving-the fun way!!
Have you ever sat in a movie theater, and several people in the row behind you are all talking? I bet you found it difficult to concentrate on the movie.
What does this have to do with your child in a Kindermusik class? Just imagine this scenario: your Kindermusik teacher brings out a basket of rhythm sticks and sings 'two for you and two for your grownup." Most of the grownups in the room start encouraging their child to go get the sticks. They encourage them with their voices and now we hear several adults telling their child to go get the sticks. At this point, some of the children will start to 'tune you out.' I have young boys and I know all about this temporary selective hearing.
Although we highly encourage you to talk to your child throughout the day and label movements, sounds, and objects to help with language acquisition, there are times when we have to allow them to figure out what to do without being told. Allow them to problem solve.
So let's try an experiment this week with our kiddos. Let's try to not give as many directions to our kids, maybe even do more singing. The toughest part will be the no talking but I'm sure we will all be curious to witness our kids in this somewhat altered environment. Guide your little one by being a model and using non-verbal cues.
Here is some of the feedback from other moms who have previously tried this:
* They show more patience
* They were more 'in the moment' with their children
* Their children were more attentive and focused
* Their children felt freer to create, explore, and express themselves.
So take time to explore with your child without giving them opinions or directions. Be a model for them through your actions and not your words. It's not easy, but it may allow you to be more 'in the moment' with your child in a new way. Then come back and share your experience with us!
What does this have to do with your child in a Kindermusik class? Just imagine this scenario: your Kindermusik teacher brings out a basket of rhythm sticks and sings 'two for you and two for your grownup." Most of the grownups in the room start encouraging their child to go get the sticks. They encourage them with their voices and now we hear several adults telling their child to go get the sticks. At this point, some of the children will start to 'tune you out.' I have young boys and I know all about this temporary selective hearing.
Although we highly encourage you to talk to your child throughout the day and label movements, sounds, and objects to help with language acquisition, there are times when we have to allow them to figure out what to do without being told. Allow them to problem solve.
So let's try an experiment this week with our kiddos. Let's try to not give as many directions to our kids, maybe even do more singing. The toughest part will be the no talking but I'm sure we will all be curious to witness our kids in this somewhat altered environment. Guide your little one by being a model and using non-verbal cues.
Here is some of the feedback from other moms who have previously tried this:
* They show more patience
* They were more 'in the moment' with their children
* Their children were more attentive and focused
* Their children felt freer to create, explore, and express themselves.
So take time to explore with your child without giving them opinions or directions. Be a model for them through your actions and not your words. It's not easy, but it may allow you to be more 'in the moment' with your child in a new way. Then come back and share your experience with us!
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
The Benefits of Steady Beat
Boom, Boom, Boom. Clap, Clap, Clap. 1 and 2 and 3 and 4.
Steady beat is the most fundamental concept in music. It's the ongoing, steady, repetitive pulse that occurs in songs, chants, rhymes, and music. It's the part that makes you want to tap your toes, clap your hands, or jump up and dance like no one is watching.
Even newborn babies respond to the steady beat of music, and that's no surprise when you consider they have been listening to the steady beat of their mother's heart form inside the womb. Most children learn to keep a steady beat while swaying, clapping, moving their arms, and beating a loud booming drum. This skill will help a child prepare to later use scissors, a hammer, a saw, a whisk, and all kinds of other tools. Not to mention, it's absolutely essential to learning a musical instrument.
Through musical exploration in the Kindermusik classroom, your child may develop steady beat competency in the legs and feet as well. This lower body competency is necessary for playing sports, like dribbling and shooting a basketball, as well as dancing,s kipping, running and even walking easily.
Total body beat competency even emerges in the ability to speak and read with a smooth cadence, thereby enhancing communication abilities. Studies also show that ability to keep a stead y beat is connected with fluency in reading.
Steady beat is as fundamental as it gets, and equally as important!!
Steady beat is the most fundamental concept in music. It's the ongoing, steady, repetitive pulse that occurs in songs, chants, rhymes, and music. It's the part that makes you want to tap your toes, clap your hands, or jump up and dance like no one is watching.
Even newborn babies respond to the steady beat of music, and that's no surprise when you consider they have been listening to the steady beat of their mother's heart form inside the womb. Most children learn to keep a steady beat while swaying, clapping, moving their arms, and beating a loud booming drum. This skill will help a child prepare to later use scissors, a hammer, a saw, a whisk, and all kinds of other tools. Not to mention, it's absolutely essential to learning a musical instrument.
Through musical exploration in the Kindermusik classroom, your child may develop steady beat competency in the legs and feet as well. This lower body competency is necessary for playing sports, like dribbling and shooting a basketball, as well as dancing,s kipping, running and even walking easily.
Total body beat competency even emerges in the ability to speak and read with a smooth cadence, thereby enhancing communication abilities. Studies also show that ability to keep a stead y beat is connected with fluency in reading.
Steady beat is as fundamental as it gets, and equally as important!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
