Partners
Picture a Kindermusik class, where newborns and babies wiggle and giggle, discover the world and themselves through music. Now take that same class full of babies and put them inside a retirement community. Then watch as seniors rediscover the wonders when a parent and child connect.
That’s a Village With Seniors class, one of Kindermusik’s newest offerings. These moments are happening every day in more than 130 retirement communities across the nation since Marriott Senior Living Services started providing Village With Seniors classes. And many other retirement communities are welcoming Kindermusik classes as well!
In this special class, a licensed Kindermusik educator hosts a group of babies and their caregivers at a retirement community each week. The class, originally designed for newborns to 18 month olds, and their parents or caregivers, encourages a small group of seniors to watch or participate. This specially designed version of Kindermusik VillageŽ was guided by experts in older adult therapy and Alzheimer studies.
Here’s a few of the activities:
- Free dance around the room, stopping in front of a senior every time you hear the phrase “I love you.”
- In “Gathering Time,” seniors, parents, and babies explore the musical instruments for the day’s lesson.
- Where safe, babies can be bounced in seniors’ laps. Older memories are some of the strongest and most easily called to mind, and familiar games and phrases help seniors feel in charge and competent.
- Seniors are invited to play piano or another instrument during Quiet Time.
The same gentle music and movement exercises that benefit children in a Village class also benefit seniors in a Village With Seniors class. So far, the idea is generating great response among Kindermusik educators and retirement communities across the U.S. and Canada.
Benefits for Seniors:
Benefits for Babies:
Benefits for Families of Babies and Seniors:
Benefits for Retirement Center Staff:
Benefits for Kindermusik Educators:
Discover the wonders of the Kindermusik connection in Village with Seniors. If you’d like more information on starting one in a retirement community, call 1-800-628-5687.
Village With Seniors
Teacher’s Resource Manual
This resource serves as a guide for Kindermusik educators interested in participating, facilitating, or hosting a Village With Seniors class. This resource manual equips educators with the tools and knowledge needed to effectively and positively work with children, parents, and older adults in the same classroom experience. Top
