Kindermusik® is about kids, parents, and teachers—coming together and having a great time! It’s about helping you grow closer to your child. Enriching her environment and her development. Giving him a lifelong love of music and a foundation for learning.

What makes Kindermusik different?

Toddler Music Classes

Our educators are the best in the businesscarefully chosen and expertly trained to give every child the experience that will benefit her the most.

We believe your child's most important teacher is you. So we give you great tools to continue the Kindermusik experience at home.

Our program is based on research demonstrating the benefits of music at each stage of a child's development. We start from where your child is, regardless of his age, and provide activities that stimulate his mind, body, and sense of play.

We're nearly everywhere. You'll find us in your neighborhood and around the globe.

Ask moms, dads, caregivers, kids. There's nothing like Kindermusik.

Benefits of music

Preschool Music Lesson Plans

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.

Music matters

Psychologists, neuroscientists, and 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 readinesslike 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.

Read more about how Kindermusik shapes your child's development »

Kindermusik and you

Preschool Music Lesson Plans

Our educators are terrific guides to the fun and learning that take place in Kindermusik classes. Still, we never forget the guiding principle of early childhood education: Your child's most important teacher is you.

That's why every Kindermusik class includes home activities and materials, geared specifically to your child's developmental level. You'll discover music and songbooks, storybooks and musical instruments, games and family activities, and much more. Your child's educator will give you tips for using these materials and ideas for other activities you can do at home.

The time you spend with your child in your home environment reinforces classroom learning. It enhances his growth and development. Most important, it strengthens the bond between your child and you.

Our educators

Preschool Music Lesson Plans

Parents tell us Kindermusik educators are the greatestand we agree! We choose them for the passion they bring to their work, and we train them in skills that inspire children and parents.

Who they are

Kindermusik educators are a diverse group, from musicians and child-care experts to parents like you. Many first learned about us from bringing their own children to Kindermusik classes! They have tons of energy and the ability to communicate with parents as well as kids. Above all, they have a love for children, a talent for music, and a passion for bringing them together.

How we train them

Our educators have all completed rigorous training in order to earn their Kindermusik license. They're steeped in child development and music concepts. They learn how music and movement contribute to children's growth, and how they can facilitate the process. They learn how to tap into different learning styles and how to reach all kinds of children: infants and older children, the shy and the outgoing, as well as children with cognitive or physical limitations.

Our educators learn everything from how to set up a classroom to how to build relationships with the families they serve. Find a class, get to know a Kindermusik educator, and see for yourself.

Learn about becoming a Kindermusik educator »

Our history

Kindermusik's world-wide reputation is rooted in a history that spans nearly half a century.

In the late 1960s, educational experts in Germany developed a music and movement curriculum for kindergarten children. They drew on the work of esteemed musicians and educators from Europe and Asia, including Shinichi Suzuki, Maria Montessori, and Carl Orff.

By the mid 1970s, the program was ready for prime time. Two of the original creators introduced it to the U.S., and in 1978 the company Kindermusik was founded. A few years later it expanded into Canada, and from there it spread around the world. Kindermusik has been enjoyed by over 1 million families in more than 60 countries.

Since the beginning, we've continued to make improvements to Kindermusik's programs and products. We bring together experts in music, education, and child development to examine emerging research and develop new curricula and training programs, award-winning books and music, engaging instruments and activities, and much more. That's especially important now, when science is opening new avenues to understanding the benefits of music.

Our company

Kindermusik International is the world's leading provider of music and movement programs for young children, enjoyed by over 1 million families in more than 60 countries.

Proud to be employee-owned

In 2002 Kindermusik International's employees purchased the company from its 96 investors, a model it maintains to this day.

Employee ownership means many things. To Kindermusik employee-owners, it means we are informed about every aspect of the company, our ideas are taken seriously, and we all share in the company's success. To the people we serve, it means a culture of community that begins in our Greensboro, North Carolina headquarters and encompasses every program, every educator, every child, and every family that participates in Kindermusik. It means we're committed to a balance of work and play, and dedicated to lifelong learning.

Learn about employment at Kindermusik International »
Learn about teaching Kindermusik »

Kindermusik Children's Fund

We believe every child should have the opportunity to benefit from Kindermusik. To bring that ideal closer to reality, we've established the Kindermusik Children's Fund. The Fund provides Kindermusik materials to children who are physically or emotionally challenged, financially or educationally disadvantaged, or have lost a parent. We rely on the matching generosity of Kindermusik educators to provide free tuition so children in need can share in the Kindermusik experience.



Read about children who benefit from the Fund »
Watch the video »

FAQ

At what age can my child start Kindermusik?
No child is too young to start Kindermusik. Our Village classes are designed for newborn babies up to eighteen-month-olds. We offer age-appropriate classes for children ages newborn to seven years. Visit our Classes page for more information.

How can I find a teacher?
To search for a teacher in your area, visit our Class Finder. Enter your zip code or any part of your address. The Class Finder will display classes nearest to you.

What happens in a Kindermusik class?
Class activities vary depending on your child's age. But most classes involve a mix of singing, instrument play, dancing and movement, storytime, and other activities. Activities are designed to develop and strengthen your child's physical and neural functions, social-emotional skills, early literacy and early math, and much more.

How is Kindermusik different from other music programs for children?
So many reasons! Kindermusik is the original music and movement program. We have been doing this for over thirty years. While some music programs put children of all ages of together in one room, the majority of our classes are geared to specific ages. This means your child experiences class with “peers” and the activities match her developmental stagejust like in school. (We do offer a Family Time class where the whole family can participate in fun and learning together.) Kindermusik is very interactive, and encourages bonding by involving parents and caregivers. Our program is based on a mix of scientific research and learning philosophies of prominent musicians, composers, and development experts. To learn more, visit the About us page.

Will my child learn an instrument like piano, guitar, or violin at Kindermusik?
We firmly believe, and research supports, that a solid foundation of basic musical training is the best path for children. This is why we start with concepts like steady beat and fine and gross motor skills. Our Young Child program, for ages five to seven, introduces stringed instruments (the dulcimer) and musical percussion instruments (the xylophone). We feel strongly that this is the best approach to shaping the Mozarts and Bachs of tomorrow. Starting a child on a finger-based instrument too early, while his hand and fingers are still growing and developing, could actually do more harm than good. Simply put, Kindermusik is the best place to start.

My child has special needs. Will he or she be able to participate?
We welcome special needs children and have found they thrive in the Kindermusik environment! We recommend contacting the Kindermusik educator in your area to discuss your child's needs.

Do I have to attend the classes with my child?
Most of our classes require that a parent or caregiver accompany the child. Our classes are specifically designed to spark interaction between the parent and child. You are your child's first and best teacher, and Kindermusik tries to strengthen that bond. In our classes for older ages, the children spend most of the class with just the teacher, but parents are included in a portion of every Kindermusik class.

Can my babysitter/au pair bring my child?
We know parents today are busier than ever. If neither parent is available to attend classes with the child, it is acceptable that a babysitter/au pair attend class with the child. To the extent possible, we prefer that the same individual attend class each week in order to ensure the child gets comfortable with a routine and the caregiver becomes familiar with the songs and activities.

Can grandma and grandpa come with us to class?
This depends on your program. Most educators welcome grandparents into the classroom, but you should check with your educator first. If the classroom is full, the educator may want to limit the number of people in the room.

I can't afford the classes. Does Kindermusik offer any price breaks or scholarships?
Since Kindermusik International does not set the prices of classesthese are set by the class providerwe are unable to offer price breaks or discounts. The Kindermusik Children's Fund provides home materials to families in need, but applications must be submitted by our educators on behalf of families who need them.

What if my child doesn't participate in class?
Children learn in different ways. Simply because a child appears shy in class, that doesn't mean he or she is not learning. We hear from parents all the time whose children are quiet in class, but when they get home the child sings the songs and does the activities! Just remember that the home is the most important learning environment and you are your child's most important teacher. The classroom is intended to give you tools to bring the music and learning home.

Why are the home materials required?
At the core of the Kindermusik philosophy is the idea that the home is the most important learning environment and the parent is the child's best teacher. The home materials give parents the tools to extend the learning into the home. Using the home materials is the most effective way to get the full Kindermusik experience and ensure your child is truly benefitting from early exposure to music and movement.

Can I try a class first before I enroll?
Absolutely. All Kindermusik educators offer a free class preview to allow you to experience Kindermusik firsthand before you decide whether to enroll. We're sure you're going to love it! Visit our Class Finder to find your local educator, and then contact her to schedule a demo class.

I'm interested in teaching Kindermusik. What do I do?
For information on teaching Kindermusik and tools to help you decide if Kindermusik is right for you, visit our Teach Kindermusik website.


Preschool Music Lesson Plans

If you’re ready to enroll, we’re ready to welcome you! »