Minds On Music – The Kindermusik Blog - Page 2 of 105 - For three generations, Kindermusik has helped millions of children around the world build a strong foundation for a lifetime of learning.

Dad Album + Activity!

Dads hold their toddler and baby boys during a Kindermusik class and dance to the dad album

Dads, like-a-dads, uncles, grandfathers…the male caregiver role is hugely important to early nurturing and positive whole-child development.

Superdad Soundwaves is the new dad album from Kindermusik

To amplify their presence and put it to the tune of fun, we created Superdad Soundwaves, on the free Kindermusik app and your favorite streaming platforms, including:

Plus, we’ve got an activity you can pair with it below!

What research says about father involvement…

Studies show that father involvement in the early years makes a big difference.

Researchers from Imperial College London, King’s College London and Oxford University found that “babies whose fathers were more engaged and active when playing with them in their initial months performed better in cognitive tests at two years of age.”

And a study conducted by the University of Leeds showed that fathers who regularly and intentionally engaged their three-year-olds by reading, drawing, singing, and playing “helped their children do better at school by age five.”

Empowering dads with the tools they need to keep that engagement going is where musical play can really help. It’s a multisensory activity that’s portable, screen-free, and fun!

Try our Dad Album activity…

Stream “Love Somebody” from the Superdad Soundwaves album in the free Kindermusik app or play it below.

Follow the movement directions—dancing high/low, bouncing, clapping, etc.
Each time you hear “you, you, you,” give your child a big hug or point to them.

The benefits…

This activity is full of cognitive, social-emotional, and motor benefits, but we love that:

Matching movements to lyrics promotes understanding and language acquisition.
Synchronizing movements synchronizes your heartbeats and bodies, promoting connection.

Keep that family engagement going…

Intentional time is the best time. Make it part of your daily routines, and growth and connection will skyrocket.

Whether you’re looking for more no-cost resources like this album + activity, a grownup-and-me class near you, or home visiting or teaching tools, we’ve got a solution for that.

How Musical Play Boosts Youth Sports Performance

What does early musical play have to do with youth sports? If you’re thinking of signing your toddler or preschooler up for t-ball, soccer, gymnastics, etc., take a look at these links between athletic ability and intentional music and movement. You may be surprised at how much it can help little ones gain confidence early in their sports journeys, and how much longer it might help them stick with it.

How Music Affects the Science of Reading

A mother taps out a beat to a song in Kindermusik class. Practicing steady beat is one way to support the science of reading.

The Science of Reading is kind of a buzzword these days in the early education and parenting worlds, but what does it really mean and what role does music play?

In a nutshell, the Science of Reading is a catch-all term for the massive amounts of research that look at how our brains learn to read through decoding, phonemic awareness, and more. It doesn’t just happen, it’s science, and educators around the world are tapping into its framework.

What might be missing from traditional classrooms and at-home efforts? Music!

How Pre- and Postnatal Singing Support Secure Attachment

Mom sings to baby in a Kindermusik class to promote secure attachment.

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.

3 Musical Ways to Support Neurodivergent Learners

Child dances to music with scarves. Interpretive dance is an ideal multisensory outlet for neurodivergent learners.

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).

Why High-Pitched Kid Songs Belong on Your Playlist

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.

3 Ways to Build Grownup Social-Emotional Growth

A mom dances and builds social-emotional growth with her daughter in a Kindermusik class.

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.

3 Ways to Enhance Phonemic Awareness with Music

Mom and toddler son sing songs together to boost phonemic awareness

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!

7 Reasons to Join a Music Class for Toddlers

A 2-year-old dances to the beat during a music class for toddlers.

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…

Simple Gifts for Kids: Batteries Not Required

Sandblocks and other handheld instruments are perfect gifts for older 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”