Minds On Music – The Kindermusik Blog
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”
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”
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”
Stressing about whether or not toddler music lessons are worth it?
They’re not and here’s why…
Continue reading “Why Toddler Music Lessons Aren’t the Best Idea”
Remember when music in schools campaigns really took off in the 90s? The quest to make music a standard part of the “3 Rs:” Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic, still isn’t over.
Wait…only one of those starts with an R!
Aside from the letter discrepancy, the narrow focus of the 3Rs is outdated. So, how can we get all schools on board with a modernized view of early learning?
First, we need a new acronym. And here’s why music should get its own letter.
Continue reading “Why Music In Schools Post COVID Is Critical”
Does your child have imaginary friends? Wondering if it’s a positive or a negative phase? Let me tell you a story…
My mother grew up in a small southern US town in the 1940s, when polio was rampant. My grandparents, who were older and struggled to have a child, were naturally fearful of the disease and scared to lose her. So, Mom wasn’t allowed to play with other children very often.
Except for one.
Continue reading “How Imaginary Friends Help COVID-Era Kids”
Increased literacy development is one of the major benefits of a consistent music program. And that can happen before elementary school!
In fact, an independent research firm found that preschoolers who experienced just 30 minutes a week of Kindermusik demonstrated 32% greater gains in language and literacy skills.
Continue reading “Boost Early Literacy Development with Just 30 Minutes of Music per Week”
From the benefits of skin-to-skin to rocking to massage, there is so much conversation around newborn bonding. And that’s a good thing!
Here’s one idea you may not have heard of…infant music classes.
First, let’s look at the why, when, and how of this critical part of early development.
Continue reading “Newborn Bonding: How Infant Music Classes Connect Parent and Baby”
Social-emotional learning is a critical piece to positive early childhood development, and we know that music can accelerate this growth.
But how can educators and families consistently use music to boost social-emotional skills in different learning environments?
Continue reading “3 Ways Music Boosts Social-Emotional Learning in ANY Environment”
When the pandemic forced families to social distance and quarantine, the negative effects of social isolation hit young children perhaps the hardest. The need for connection is pressing and real. And that’s where Kindermusik’s outdoor music classes come in.
Many Kindermusik families love our virtual class opportunities (they’re a huge hit!) and they’re here to stay. However, some of our educators found that children responded better to a physically distanced, outdoor environment.
Continue reading “Outdoor Music Classes Bridge COVID Socialization Gaps”