Author: Kindermusik

As I hang around toddlers — perhaps to continue my grandmothering internship — I'm amazed at what I'm learning. Jumping, for example, is filled with a therapeutic joy! Songs, movement, and rhymes are always a hit, no matter the mood or time of day. And, not coincidentally, these activities create the foundation upon which music skills are built.

Incorporate these into your day to encourage a happy, musical toddlerhood:

• Rhymes — rhyming words support the development of languages, both spoken and musical. (Kindermusik will expand your repertoire. It sure did mine!)
• Movement — moving large muscles promotes both learning and the development of steady beat. Toddlers especially love movements that challenge, such as jumping and galloping. Add a stopping part and you’ll be rewarded with spontaneous giggles and great partice of self-control.
• Sing, sing, sing! — no training necessary…only the joyful enthusiasm that your toddler will model. From "The Wheels on the Bus" to "Yellow Submarine" to some silly nonsense song you make up, singing creates sweet moments, fosters creativity, and establishes a great sense of pitch.
• Play, play, play! — anything is a potential drum or shaker. Explore the house for sound makers and accompany your singing, dancing, and favorite iPod hits. (Sound discrimination supports language development and auditory skills.)
-Carol Penney, Kindermusik educator and employee-owner

When my boys were babies, I was learning the Kindermusik curricula as a new educator. I was constantly singing, and quickly realized that soothing melodies could help with colicky nights and young ADD meltdowns. Singing and dancing could transform times of lethargy (i.e., the TV trance) into silly or joyful moments of movement, energy, and expression. Nursery rhymes and bouncing games could develop a strong sense of rhythm and beat (which helps in learning, sports, and music competencies).

In hindsight, I may have even underutilized these powerful tools that support development in all areas: social, emotional, physical, and cognitive. I can imagine that the busyness of today’s mom and dad allows precious little time to be together and sing, rock, bounce, dance, or listen.

In my next opportunity to parent — in that “grand” way — I will take full advantage of music’s power for learning, delight, and bonding. Nurturing a true music lover begins at birth (and probably even before).

Try following this prescription (begin practicing during pregnancy):

• Sing EVERY night at bedtime. (You don’t have to be a singer…the child hears the heart behind the voice.)
• Enjoy dancing with abandon every day to favorite recording. (You don’t have to be a dancer…all movement supports growth and development.)
• Accompany every diaper change with a nursery rhyme.
• Play calming music at naptime(s) or meltdowns.
• Incorporate a time to bounce to a beat. (Just bouncing steadily and stopping will evoke spontaneous giggles.)
• Rock, rock, rock.
-Carol Penney, Kindermusik educator and employee-owner

I can barely remember a time that “mothering” (to my boys of 26 and 30) hasn’t been a prominent presence and driver in my life — celebrating, worrying, guiding, overcoming obstacles, desiring involvement, cherishing the hug/call/email/text, and so on.

More and more often, I experience “ahhhhh” moments as I realize my hand is off the tiller. They are launched — living beautiful, independent lives, and I am humbled to have played a part. I often think about what I learned as a mom, afforded by the hindsight of age, experience, and 30 years of Kindermusik involvement. I also visualize who I will one day become as a grandmother.

The consistent thread through it all: music! It’s the panacea for many of the challenges that wreak havoc as children grow up. It calms babies. It brings joy to toddlers. It builds confidence in preschoolers. It develops far-reaching and long-lasting skills that grow musicians, creative problem solvers, and confident lovers of learning.

My single best advice for young parents? Let music permeate your home (and car)! Music makes parenting more joyful. Music helps children unfold into wonderful, responsible, caring adults. And you don’t have to be a musician to bring music in your child’s life — just participate and enjoy singing, dancing, and listening together!
-Carol Penney, Kindermusik educator and employee-owner

…providing musical experiences in the early years gives your child benefits that last a lifetime? How does it affect your child. Well, growth may be observed in any or all of the following areas as a result of early and consistent exposure to music:

perseverance, confidence, responsibility, identity and self-esteem, discipline, love of music, art, culture, identification of talents, using time wisely, teamwork, following directions, intellectual and social development, precision and motor control, overcoming fears in public speaking and shyness, commitment to excellence, creativity, and self-expression.

This may sound a bit "out there" to some, but many think Dunstan is really on to something. In fact, she was even featured on Orpah to share her theories and findings.

Want to test her findings for yourself? After working with more than 1,000 infants around the world, Dunstan says there are five words that all babies 0–3 months old say, regardless of race and culture:

Neh = ”I’m hungry”
Owh = ”I’m sleepy”
Heh = ”I need to be changed”
Eair = ”I'm gassy”
Eh = ”I need to burp”

Sign language can come in handy and is easily learned by preschooler. Use signing to:
– create an environment for understanding without words
– help children avoid frustration when words don’t come easily
– foster language refinement – they can use signs to clarify
– provide ways to communicate with non-hearing people
– help them focus attention more directly since signing requires eye-contact (children are often overloaded with sound)
– foster self-esteem by giving children more control in expressing themselves
– channel kinetic energy positively
– have an option for stopping poor behavior in a calm, quiet way

Here are some resources to check out on signing:

ASL – American Sign Language Resources
An article on sign language and autisum
Sign & Sing – Kindermusik's signing class for children ages 6 months to 3 years

We all know that play is important to a child. Playing with your child can make a cranky toddler smile. Getting your baby to laugh more means less time spent crying. And the bonus: spending time playing with your child will put a smile on your face, too! Check out this article for more resources and tips on how to make play an easy, natural part of your everyday routine.

http://www.salisburypost.com/Lifestyle/120609-Emily-Ford-Sunday-People-column-baby-games

P.S. Want to learn even more ways to play with your baby or toddler, while they gain key developmental benefits? Consider trying a Kindermusik class. Click here to find a class near you, then click the "Free Preview Class" button to try a class at no cost and no obligation.

Here’s how Rachel introduced herself to her Kindermusik Fundamentals training group:

My name is Rachel Roberts and I am currently in my last semester of college at Mars Hill College in the mountains of North Carolina, finishing a B.A. of Music degree. I hope to graduate in December and find a Kindermusik office to work with soon after that.

It really feels good to be able to pass on the torch. This is what it's really all about.

-by Cindy Bousman, Kindermusik employee-owner and educator.