In a world where so much of the focus for our children is on what’s measurable, I want to talk about what’s memorable because every week in our Kindermusik classes, I am privileged to experience and celebrate what’s memorable.
The experts and specialists can all point to various research studies and case studies that support the notion that early childhood music classes can have significant impact on a child’s cognitive, physical, and musical development. There’s no disputing those cold, hard facts. But what keeps me going back to the classroom, what inspires me to continue forging ahead as a program owner through some of the worst economic times we’ve ever seen is not the research or the facts, but rather in the magic I see unfolding every week in every class – the magic that creates the memories.
For the children attending Kindermusik classes, the magic is in the gift of time, time together in class with their special adult that is focused on enjoying one another, freely and without distraction or requirements. For still others who have developmental delays or special needs, Kindermusik music classes are that final key to unlocking that final gate for communication, through learning to sign, beginning to speak, or connecting through the joy of a shared experience.
Sometimes the magic comes through the non-verbal – that first hesitant smile, those first little dance steps, or those first notes on their instrument. For others, the magic happens when they jingle along to the steady beat, find their singing voice for the first time, share their ideas with the rest of the class, or contribute their part to a musical ensemble. Continue reading “The Magic of the Memorable”
