For three generations, Kindermusik has helped millions of children around the world build a strong foundation for a lifetime of learning.
Did you know that babies can’t focus on or imitate sounds in a low pitch? It’s OK to sing your favorite low-pitched song to your little one, but mixing in high-pitched kid songs in a head voice is critical to boosting young children’s natural development.
Continue reading “Why High-Pitched Kid Songs Belong on Your Playlist”
The bond between caregiver and infant is one of the most critical factors in positive whole-child development, and the keyword is secure attachment.
Secure attachment doesn’t mean constant baby-wearing or helicopter parenting—it does mean a consistent series of positive and nurturing interactions between caregivers and infants that form the foundation for healthy social-emotional and cognitive growth.
So, how do you know if you’re making these connections happen? Singing can help.
Continue reading “How Pre- and Postnatal Singing Support Secure Attachment”
It may seem counterintuitive, but neurodivergent learners thrive with the right multi-sensory activities. Music—a multi-sensory activity that stimulates all parts of the brain at once—promotes everything from self-regulation to emotional expression.
And that turns tricky transitions and long days into beautiful learning moments (for children and their special grownups).
Continue reading “3 Musical Ways to Support Neurodivergent Learners”
Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) for children has been a huge focus in early childhood development over the past 10 years, but what about “Grownup Social-Emotional Growth?” It turns out, it’s just as critical for parents and caregivers to fill this specific brain bucket on a daily basis.
Not to be confused with a fancy face mask or a day at the beach, The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) defines SEL as “the process through which children and adults understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions.”
And while it can be hard to focus with little ones around, it’s important to recognize that parents and caregivers shouldn’t put social-emotional growth on hold for alone time.
Continue reading “3 Ways to Build Grownup Social-Emotional Growth”
You’ve probably heard the word phonics, but what exactly is phonemic awareness? Phonemic awareness is the ability to identify and manipulate individual sounds—phonemes—in spoken words, a crucial pre-reading and speech skill.
Research shows that programs focused on phonemic and phonological awareness significantly increase children’s reading abilities in early years, and can be further enhanced by music. What does this look like at home? Here are a few things you can do that sound like learning, but feel like fun!
Continue reading “3 Ways to Enhance Phonemic Awareness with Music”
Times are busy. Commitments are tough. So, what makes a music class for toddlers the right choice for your family?
Research tells us learning that happens in the first three years of life is vital to early brain development. And we also know that when multiple areas of the brain are activated at once, the brain gets a complete workout. Enter Kindermusik…
Continue reading “7 Reasons to Join a Music Class for Toddlers”
Is your head spinning in a whirlpool of holiday ads? Remember this: simple gifts for kids will keep on giving.
Between Black Friday deals, Cyber Monday savings, and all the other holiday sales, it’s hard to research before you buy. The one piece of research you can always count on?Simple toys are BEST for early childhood development.
Stay stress-free this season with our Top 5 Tips for Buying the Perfect Simple Gifts for Kids.
Continue reading “Simple Gifts for Kids: Batteries Not Required”
Athletic events, community concerts, and parades are the perfect outlet for making family memories, but did you know excessive volumes can lead to early hearing loss?
Continue reading “Too Loud: How to Prevent Early Hearing Loss in Children”
Everyone loves to watch a sleeping infant, but is white noise for babies the best environment for these peaceful moments?
Research tells us no, and here’s why – your baby’s auditory system is hard at work, and sleep aids like white noise can send it into overdrive.
Our auditory system is the first to develop and the last to stop. It is almost fully developed at 16 weeks in utero. So, when your baby is born, they already have 5 months’ experience in processing sound.
Before we look at why soothing, patterned sounds like music are better than white noise for babies, it’s important to understand how the auditory system works.
Continue reading “Why Music Is Better Than White Noise for Babies”
Music is vital in the development of all young children, including children with hearing loss.
How do I know? I live it every day.
I’m someone with total hearing loss in one ear.
I’m a music educator who works with hearing-impaired children (at the Central Institute for the Deaf in St. Louis, MO).
And I’m a mom of a child with severe hearing loss who, with the help of bilateral cochlear implants and years of music education, has now successfully transitioned to mainstream school.
Continue reading “5 Ways Music Positively Impacts Children with Hearing Loss”