Minds On Music – The Kindermusik Blog - Page 101 of 105 - For three generations, Kindermusik has helped millions of children around the world build a strong foundation for a lifetime of learning.

So much to give thanks for

Posted November 24, 2009

Kindermusik Educator Sandy Lopez recently got this wonderful email in her inbox. It reminds us how many wonderful things we have to be thankful for this holiday season.

Hi Sandy,
Just had to let you know that last night when Allison was going to bed, first we had to read our new Kindermusik book (she loves it). When we were saying our prayers and got to the "Thank You, God" part, I said, "Thank You, God, for our time at Kindermusik." Allison said, "Thank you, God, for Miss Sandy!!!" Later I heard her singing, "I've got a rock in my pocket, m-m-m." It was SO cute. This morning she was actually singing along with the CD. She usually just listens as I sing along but today SHE sang, and I definitely listened. I am thrilled with her progress. I had to pass this along to you! Have a great day.
Anna

With Anna's permission, Miss Sandy wrote to us and shared the following:
Allison was born premature and has some developmental delays. So it was very special that she remembered me in her prayers! Her countenance was bright when we did the "Rock in My Pocket" activity in class. Just this past Monday I heard her singing "Oopsy Daisy" when she was leaving with her mom.

I'm so thankful that I am a Kindermusik educator. Rewards like this are priceless. There's no recession where these rewards come from!

Some family-friendly sites to explore

Posted November 18, 2009

Looking for some family-friendly sites to visit to find interactive and non-interactive activies and ideas? Here are a few suggestions:

PBS Kids
Interact with all of your favorite PBS characters; kids tend to adore this site
www.pbskids.org

Crayola
The classic brand has a website with all kinds of craft ideas and activity pages
www.crayola.com

Author Jan Brett
Experience your favorite Jan Brett books through fun online games and activities
www.janbrett.com

Boowakwala
Very appealing site with musical activities, cooking fun, coloring pages, coordination games, races, classic children’s games and much more
www.boowakwala.com

Busy Bee Kids Crafts
Delightful craft ideas – go to the site or sign up for their eNewsletter
www.busybeekidscrafts.com

Kaboose
Something for the whole family on this site makes this a terrific resource
www.kaboose.com

San Francisco Orchestra for Kids
An energetic home-page featuring a quirky variety of musical games and activities for children to explore
www.sfskids.org

What are some of your favorite sites for children or families?

Don’t, Shouldn’t, Can’t, Wouldn’t

Posted November 17, 2009

I heard something from a conference speaker that I believe EVERY parent and teacher and child care worker and family member should know. I’ve been searching for months for the source, because it has changed my way of speaking to the young children I work with (and the preschooler in my own home).

The following is used by permission and taken from Conscious Discipline by Becky Bailey, PhD.

Watch a toddler. If you say, “Don’t touch the lamp,” what does the child do? She will look at you, look at the lamp, point to it, touch it and then look back at you – usually with a big smile. Her brain heard, “Touch the lamp,” so she looks at you proudly as if to say, “Hey! I did it! I touched the lamp!” Imgaine her confusion when you growl, “What did I tell you?” and push away her little hand. No wonder we all need therapy!

As an adult, you probably make the connection between a negative command (”don’t hit”), and a positive alternative (”talk through your problems”). For young children, this is impossible. Children younger than five or six simply do not understand conjugated verbs such as “don’t”. When you say, “Don’t talk with your mouth full,” you actually increase the chances that your child will “disobey” and that you will get to watch them grind broccoli in living color.

Instead of focusing on what you don’t want, redirect the child. When she spots the lamp, you could say, “You see the pretty lamp. Put your hand in mine and I will show you how to touch delicate objects that might break.” Perhaps you do not want to teach the child how to touch the lamp. Then you could say, “You see the pretty lamp. Let’s look at this truck. I will roll it to you. Whee!” Then push the truck over to the child. Have fun with the alternative you choose. Children, like all of us, respond to enthusiasm.

It’s so simple, but makes complete sense. I read this, and went, “No wonder they do the opposite of what I want them to do!” This fall, I purchased a copy of the book for each one of my teachers, and there are lots more nuggets of parenting gold where this comes from. I’ll be blogging more as I go through her book.

In the meantime, if you’d like more information about Becky Bailey and Concious Discipline, visit her website.

-by Miss Analiisa, who is going to make an effort to tell her children what she WANTS them to do, not what she DOESN’T!

Special thanks to Analiisa Reichlin for allowing us to share such an informative post from the Studio 3 Music Blog. Analiisa is Director of Studio 3 Music in Seattle, Washington, the world’s largest Kindermusik program.

Image source: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Family Fun Time! Perfect Play Dough

Posted November 13, 2009

During the first three years of life, a primary developmental objective is for a young child to learn to make things happen. This includes discovering qualities of objects, how things work, how to use objects as tools, how to plan, and how to make a plan work. Playing with things like play dough helps your child master that objective in a fun and enjoyable way. Not only that, but you will notice that your young child will remain interested in playing with toys and objects that are flexible and open-ended. Simple items like homemade play dough encourage your child’s creative play and expression.

With that in mind, check out these instructions from Disney's Family Fun site for making homemade play dough. Sit down with your little ones today and do a family activity. Not only will they be having fun, you'll be amazed at home much they are learning.

-by Kindermusik educator Theresa Case. Theresa's Kindermusik program, Kindermusik at Piano Central Studios, is in the top 1% of all programs in the world.

Music education and “a Kindermusik child”

Posted November 11, 2009

Over the thirteen years I have been attending Kindermusik classes, I have come to be able to spot a Kindermusik child a mile a way.

A Kindermusik child:

is curious

smiles a lot, even when alone

is confident in his or her own voice

enjoys hearing other children sing and play

can be calmed, excited, or centered by music

has the emerging patience to try and figure things out

enjoys – and is proud of – belonging to a group

Now imagine if EVERY child shared these qualities. Might the news headlines look a bit different every morning…?

So to those who think arts education is not important enough to make a priority in our world, I say, “How would we know? We’ve never tried.”

-by Michael Dougherty, CEO of Kindermusik International.

Music is the Language of Learning

Posted November 9, 2009

For many years, I've been looking for the words to describe why music is such an important presence in a child's early development. There's the brain research, yes. Compelling and interesting, however it's kind of gross to talk about a child's mind in terms of neural networks and neuron firing.

There's the scientific proof, yes. Studies previously performed on Kindermusik students show positive growth in intellectual and self-control behaviors. Still, some educators and experts can't be swayed by even the most convincing studies. I think it's just the way some people are wired.

For me, though, I finally yawped out a "Eureka!" when I realized what preschool teachers have known all along…

Music is inherent to the methods used in early learning. Repetition, rhyme, exposure to patterns, and a variety of sounds are defining qualities of both music and early learning. That's likely why music and language share the same pathways in the brain.

That's why, to a child, music is the language of learning.

-by Molly McGinn. Molly is a former Kindermusik educator, employee-owner, and musical talent par excellence. Check out her three piece vintage jazz and alt-country band, Amelia's Mechanics.

What is success?

Posted November 5, 2009

To laugh often and much;
To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children;
To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others;
To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition;
To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.
This is to have succeeded.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

(reprinted in Kindermusik's Wiggles & Giggles Teacher Guide, Our Time curriculum, p. 182)

Celebrate Book Lovers Day on November 7, 2009

Posted November 3, 2009

What better way to celebrate “Book Lovers Day” on November 7 than to read a book? We all know that reading to our children is an important part of their intellectual and emotional development. But why is that? Parent and Child Magazine addresses the issue with a terrific article by Susan B. Neuman, professor of childhood studies at the University of Michigan. The article can be found here: http://content.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=8056

Reading is fun, stimulates the imagination, provides knowledge of the world and life, including problems and how to solve them. Language development is also strengthened by hearing words being read aloud. Children who read a variety of books on a daily basis also develop a sense of community, an understanding of “what it means to be human,” learning empathy as they are introduced to cultures and people that are different from their own.

Most parents instinctively recognize the value of reading to their child. What you may be surprised to discover is that learning to read can also help your child learn to play the piano or violin or even sing in a choir. The truth is that many of the same skills required to become a successful reader are the same skills a student must draw upon when learning to read music. Skills like tracking from left to right, recognizing that symbols have meaning, and eye-hand coordination are just a few of the common denominators in reading books and reading music.

So don’t just celebrate Book Lovers Day on November 7; celebrate reading and books every day! You’ll be doing something that will benefit your child in many ways for a long time to come.

Talk back! What’s your all-time favorite children’s book?

-by Kindermusik educator Theresa Case. Theresa's Kindermusik program, Kindermusik at Piano Central Studios, is in the top 1% of all programs in the world.

When I grow up, I want to be a child

Posted October 30, 2009

I love being around children. And it's not because I teach them wonderful Kindermusik songs and show them how to dance gleefully around the room, all the while helping their brain neurons begin to make those vitally important connections.

This weekend, as I approached a rather long check-out line, I noticed I was standing behind a mom with a little girl who seemed to be about three years old. She was in the shopping cart, curled up inside a new dog bed her mom was purchasing. She looked comfy and content.

Then she noticed me standing right behind her. With a great big smile and her best 3-year-old speak (and a little translation help from mom), she announced that her family had just got a brand new puppy. I found out the puppy's name was Roxy and that she was black and brown. I was also informed that the little girl's sister was on a Girl Scout camping trip and she would be surprised when she returned to the new puppy. And there was a lot more to our conversation that only another 3-year-old could translate! (It was a loooong check-out line.) I enjoyed every moment of our conversation.

Finally, it was their turn to check out and the little girl stopped her mom and asked a question. "Mommy," she said, "do you have a new friend?" The mom looked a little taken aback, but she glanced over at me and answered yes. Then the little girl asked, "Mommy, can your new friend come over to our house tomorrow and play with me and Roxy?"

Did I mention that I love being around children? I am always amazed at their curiosity, acceptance, purity, thoughtfulness, and their willingness to reach out in such sweet ways. When they are just allowed to be kids, they have no predisposed ideas or judgments or expectations.

That little girl reminded me that when I grow up, I want to be a child.

-by Cindy Bousman. Cindy works with and supports educators at Kindermusik International.

Image source: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

The Amazing Effects of Music on Brain Development

Posted October 27, 2009

Recently, Miss Analiisa blogged about the healing power of music. She cited an article, “Better Minds Through Music,” written by Michael Shasberger, Adams Professor of Music and Worship. Because this is such great information, I’d like to build on her blog with further research I conducted, and tell you more about the fascinating, life-impacting research being done on music and the brain. Your children and mine can benefit immeasurably from putting into practice what researchers are discovering about the relationship between early exposure to music training and cognitive development.

Michael Shasberger’s excellent article was written primarily to fight the elimination of music programs from budget-strained elementary schools. He writes that study after study has demonstrated the profoundly significant impact music makes on children’s intellectual and social development. Academic performance and social behavior are positively impacted:

“Students involved in arts in the curriculum are four times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement, three times more likely to be elected to class office, four time more likely to participate in math and science fair, three times more likely to win an award for school attendance and four times more likely to win and award for writing an essay or poems. Young artists, as compared with their peers, are likely to attend music, art and dance classes nearly three times as frequently; participate in youth groups nearly four times as frequently; read for pleasure nearly twice as often; and perform community service more than four times as often. The benefits of exposing children to music and the arts are indisputable.”

Music’s power to heal is also well-documented. Neuroscientist Daniel Levitin has written books and produced an award-winning documentary, “The Music Instinct: Science and Song.” His research explores music’s power to touch our emotions, which has impact on our psychological and physiological systems. Findings show that music can alter and heal parts of the brain. For example people with Parkinson’s disease have been able to walk better because of listening to a rhythm soundtrack. And some stroke patients with aphasia (lack of speech) have been able to regain speech by beginning with singing what they were trying to say.

We know of music’s restorative properties, but how does music impact the brain development of our children? Researcher Sheila Woodward of USC discovered that fetuses in the womb respond to music at 17-19 weeks gestation. Michael Shasberger’s research suggests that music integrates both sides of the developing brain. Playing notes is a very sequential left-brain process. Seeing overall patterns, integrating the expression of the whole piece and dealing with rhythmic patterns are right brain skills. Math skills are required in timing and counting and fine motor skills must put it all together in the playing of the instrument. Music provides a total brain workout, Strasberg concludes.

The College Board that runs SAT testing backs this up. Music students post a consistent 10 % advantage in math and verbal scores. Dr. Frances Rauscher, a psychologist at the University of Wisconsin at Oshkosh states that musical training enhances abstract thinking and spatial-temporal ability even more than computer training. He concludes; “Music has an obvious impact on the brain and should be supported and encouraged in early childhood education.”

In conclusion, providing a music-rich environment early on can have a very positive impact on our children. Here are a few practical suggestions to integrate music into your kids’ daily lives:

Expose your kids to high quality music. Borrow CDs from the library. Listen to your Kindermusik CDs. Find the classical radio stations in your area. Purchase an inexpensive CD player for your child to enjoy his or her “own” music. Pair special occasions with special songs.

Enroll your kids in Kindermusik classes. Take them to concerts. There are many free ones in the summer and at libraries. Check the schedule for kids’ concerts at Benaroya Hall. Check the regular concert schedule too. Kids enjoy more kinds of music than you might think!

Make music at home. Invest in a musical instrument set to play rhythms, march and sing along to. Sign your children up for music lessons. My kids loved piano lessons.

-by Donna Detweiler who has a new appreciation for her husband’s habit of turning classical music on every night at dinner time.

Special thanks to Donna Detweiler and Analiisa Reichlin for allowing us to share such an informative post from the Studio 3 Music Blog. Analiisa is Director of Studio 3 Music in Seattle, Washington, the world’s largest Kindermusik program.