Parents Archives - Page 12 of 16 - Minds On Music

The Parent Test

“My child is so unique and special! I want to be the best parent that I can possibly be for my child.” As parents, isn’t this our heart’s desire?

We search to find just the right activities and experiences that will benefit our children and help them grow to their fullest potential, such as baby development classes or toddler music classes. We check reviews, ask friends, and spend countless hours to find and decide on just the right toys, foods, books, music, play, clothes, activities for toddlers, and the list goes on… Everything that touches the lives of our children must pass THE ultimate test – the PARENT TEST!

This unwritten Parent Test is full of many questions and concerns that automatically become an ingrained part of our thought process. Many times these questions are so automatic that they become almost instinctive. If you took the time to write it down, your Parent Test may look a little like this:

I want my child’s LANGUAGE skills to develop. Does this help my child develop a love for books and reading?
I know early learning is important for my child’s COGNITIVE development. Is this helping my child learn something new in an age-appropriate and enjoyable way?
Healthy EMOTIONAL development is key to growing into a confident and secure individual. Does this help strengthen the parent-child bond and help my child feel good about himself?
My child needs an opportunity to develop PHYSICALLY. How can I help my child actively explore skills like running, jumping, galloping, and skipping?
My child and I both need a SOCIAL outlet. Is there a place where we both can benefit from a positive group experience that also teaches my child social skills like sharing, playing cooperatively, and making friends?
I recognize the importance of MUSIC for my child’s total development. Does this teach and inspire my child to be more musical, to be prepared for music lessons in the future, and ultimately, to have instilled a lifelong love for and enjoyment of music?

For over 30 years, Kindermusik has passed the Parent Test with flying colors, time and time again. That’s because the powerful combination of the Kindermusik classroom experience and our Home Materials empower parents to instill a lifelong love of music and learning and capitalize on all of the rich benefits of music for children during that critical window of early learning.

It’s also because our research and experience has shown time and time again that music and movement are the best vehicles for helping a child reach his or her fullest potential in every developmental category – language, cognitive, emotional, physical, social, and music.

Simply stated, there is no better way to enhance your child’s early development and learning or to inspire their natural love of music than Kindermusik.

We invite you to experience the magic of Kindermusik for yourself. Try a free

class today!

Edited and revised by Theresa Case, whose Kindermusik program at Piano Central Studios in Greenville, SC, is proudly among the top 1% of Kindermusik programs worldwide.

6 Ways Music Builds Successful Multilingual Learners

A multilingual learner sings with hand motions during a Kindermusik class.

We know that the most successful multilingual learners are exposed to non-native languages in the first years of life, but using music as a teaching tool boosts their ability to achieve fluency faster.

Continue reading “6 Ways Music Builds Successful Multilingual Learners”

How to Help Your Child Become a Better Reader

We all know that reading to our children is an important part of their intellectual and emotional development. But why is this so? Susan B. Neuman, professor of childhood studies at the University of Michigan, gives some insight.
Dr. Neuman points out that reading is fun, stimulates the imagination, provides knowledge of the world and life, including problems and the solving of problems. Language development is also strengthened by hearing words being read aloud. Children who are read a variety of books on a daily basis also develop a sense of community, an understanding of “what it means to be human,” and to learn empathy as they are introduced to cultures and people that are different than their own.
Most parents are already convinced of the importance of reading, but with so many children’s books on the market, it can be hard to know which books are best. Here are some simple tips for choosing – and reading! – books according to your child’s age.
birth – 1 year
Look for small, brightly colored books with photos of babies and familiar objects like balls and bottles. Draw attention to the objects by saying things like, “Look at the ball,” or point to pictures and ask, “What’s that?”
1 – 2 years
Look for sturdier books that can be handled and carried; few words on teh pages or simple rhyming themes. Talk about the pictures — you don’t necessarily have to read the book to tell the story.
2 – 3 years
Look for silly or funny books with subjects like food, animals, or making friends. SImple word books are good choices. Keep stories short and read them with few interruptions. Then, re-read them.
3 – 4 years
Look for books that tell simple stories with a beginning, a middle, and end; stories that relate to life, like overcoming fear; information books about children’s interests. As you read ask your child questions about the story: “What do you think will happen next? Why?” Keep them engaged.
5 – 6 years
Look for stories and information books that evoke children’s lively imagination and interests; books about space, machines, time, and other cultures. Ask your child to tell you what interests her most about the story. Use open-ended questions to encourage her to relate her ideas. Allow her to ask questions as you read.
Compiled by Theresa Case, whose Kindermusik program at Piano Central Studios in Greenville, SC, is proudly among the top 1% of Kindermusik programs worldwide.

Choosing Great Children's Books

We all know that reading to our children is an important part of their intellectual and emotional development. But why is this so? Parent and Child Magazine explains in an insightful article by Susan B. Neuman, a professor of childhood studies.
Reading is fun, stimulates the imagination, provides knowledge of the world and life, including problems and the solving of problems. Language development is also strengthened by hearing words being read aloud. Children who are read a variety of books on a daily basis also develop a sense of community, an understanding of “what it means to be human,” and to learn empathy as they are introduced to cultures and people that are different than their own.
The rest of the article on reading to kids can be viewed online, but the efficient and helpful “Choosing Books” break-down is not, so here you go!

Choosing Books by Age

birth – 1 year

Look for small, brightly colored books with photos of babies and familiar objects like balls and bottles. Draw attention to the objects by saying things like, “Look at the ball,” or point to pictures and ask, “What’s that?”

1 – 2 years

Look for sturdier books that can be handled and carried; few words on the pages or simple rhyming themes. Talk about the pictures — you don’t necessarily have to read the book to tell the story.

2 – 3 years

Look for silly or funny books with subjects like food, animals, or making friends. Simple word books are good choices. Keep stories short and read them with few interruptions. Then, re-read them.

3 – 4 years

Look for books that tell simple stories with a beginning, a middle, and end; stories that relate to life, like overcoming fear; information books about children’s interests. As you read ask your child questions about the story: “What do you think will happen next? Why?” Keep them engaged to improve their early literacy skills.

5 – 6 years

Look for stories and information books that evoke children’s lively imagination and interests; books about space, machines, time, and other cultures. Ask your child to tell you what interests her most about the story. Use open-ended questions to encourage her to relate her ideas. Allow her to ask questions as you read.
For some book recommendations by a Kindermusik educator, check out these lists from SoundSteps, an award-winning Kindermusik Maestro program in Dallas, TX:
Books to Read with Babies
Must-Read Books for Toddlers
Books for Big Kids
Shared by Theresa Case, whose Kindermusik program at Piano Central Studios in Greenville, SC, is proudly among the top 1% of Kindermusik programs worldwide.

Inspiration vs. Action – and Sunday Thoughts from Wendell Berry

This all-encompassing interview from the 2009 Wisconsin Book Festival, “Wendell Berry Talks About Life,” was the perfect thing to wake up to on a Sunday morning.

Whether you’re familiar or unfamiliar with Wendell Berry, hearing his story and convictions towards the slow food movement, environmental justice, healthy local communities, returning war veterans in the age of technology, mindfulness, and the U.S. government’s agricultural influence since World War II helped center our thoughts at the week’s end. Berry reminds us that BIG QUESTIONS do not always have BIG ANSWERS. Humans will only survive if we live the mysteries, and work on a local level to improve and simplify our communities.
Admittedly, one of the most poignant points Berry makes is this:
Q: “As an essayist and cultural critic who has written a fair amount about community, what is your view of newly emerging digital communities? Are they credible forms of community?”
A: “We’re just flooded with language, which means that we’ve got to be careful about language. You can speak of ‘digital communities’ if you want to. All I ask is that you recognize that you’re using a metaphor. A real community is the people and the place and everything else that’s in it.”
…a sobering reminder that reading is half of our responsibility towards stewardship, and more importantly, towards personal wellbeing. Inspiration from blogs, social media, and television is indispensable, but action should be the result.
What will you do today to make the world a better place?

A few of the helpers …

Parents and Kindermusik Educators share ways they found to be “people who are helping” in the aftermath of the Newtown Elementary School tragedy.

The parent: “We can’t undo this. But we can dig in and help.”
Emily Lampish

The parent, photographer and blogger turned her frustration towards finding ways to help. And she wraps up a few ways in this blog post, “broken.” Suggestions include donation links to the Newton Memorial Fund and the Connecticut United Way, tips to help children grieve, and a link to send a message of love and support to grieving families.

broken

The expert: “Using a caring and matter-of-fact face and voice, adults can help kids by making true statements that contain a positive message. ”
Irene van der Zande

In this article, Irene gives parents and educators phrases that both acknowledge the truth the work being done to keep children safe. For example, “I am sad that this happened, and we are all going to work on ways to be safe everywhere.” If a child asks a tough question, and you don’t know the answer, say “I don’t know.” The fine line is learning to help young people to express their feelings without making them take care of your feelings.

Helping Children Regain Emotional Safety

The advocate: School Shootings: The Conversation You Need to Have With Your Kids
parents.com

A list of simple questions that starts with “What have you heard?” “What are your friends saying?” and finally, “How can we help these families?”

Parents.com

The parent who needs help, right now: “I am Adam Lanza’s Mother”
Liza Long

The writer, musician, Steinway lover, and single mother of four journals the chilling challenges of raising a lovable, intelligent, and sometimes violent child.

“I am sharing this story because I am Adam Lanza’s mother. I am Dylan Klebold’s and Eric Harris’s mother. I am Jason Holmes’s mother. I am Jared Loughner’s mother. I am Seung-Hui Cho’s mother. And these boys—and their mothers—need help. In the wake of another horrific national tragedy, it’s easy to talk about guns. But it’s time to talk about mental illness.”

Thinking the Unthinkable

The Kindermusik Educator: “Music is a balm”
Helen Peterson

Kindermusik Educator Helen Peterson sent an email to her families with a few tips to help parents and their children. “Remember to take care of yourselves by being in conversation with other adults, and help those you know who may be struggling.”

mindsonmusic.kindermusik.com

And finally, a note to our Kindermusik Educators around the world who are opening their classrooms to families seeking comfort: There are more resources and information you can share with your families – or use to help yourself – posted to the Teacher’s Lounge.

Sign in to the Teacher’s Lounge

“Music is a balm, use it liberally to calm your selves, to connect with your babies, to feel safe and grounded.”

The following email was recently written by Kindermusik Educator Helen Peterson to her Kindermusik families. Her work to help underserved children in the Minneapolis community was recognized with the first Inspiring Kindermusik Educator of the Year Award. Her love for children is as inspiring as her smile, and we’re grateful to share her words with you.

She is one of the helpers.

It is with such a heavy heart I write tonight, after 3 days of thinking, reading, listening, trying to sort out the tragedy that befell the families of Newtown Connecticut. It is of course impossible to sort, I am sure everyone has held their babies tight, have had rushes of intense love and gratitude followed by flashes of fear and breathlessness considering the unimaginable.

My hope is that Kindermusik, the joy and bonding, the sparkle that happens here, will be a safe harbor when you feel anxious. Music is a balm, use it liberally to calm your selves, to connect with your babies, to feel safe and grounded.

Connections between very young children and their parent are so profound and strong. We know, what you feel as a parent, becomes your child’s emotion in no time at all. Outrage, heartbreak and compassion is pouring out of us, in the wake of this unimaginable act.

Remember to take care of yourselves by being in conversation with other adults, and help those you know who may be struggling.

Images are everywhere, visuals on the television in news promotions during children’s programming, auditory on the radio, in grown up conversations that children always hear. As much as possible shield them.

There is nothing like scooping up a child for a dance around the house, a clean up song, a bathtub tune, a goodnight lullaby to bring equilibrium to lighten our heavy hearts.

Here is a resource you will find helpful in talking to children about tragedy.

I know that I am grateful everyday for the JOY, LOVE and BEAUTY that I experience and witness when we are together making music and making memories.

Warmly,

Helen

Why Spatial Awareness Is Critical to Whole-Child Development

Preschool children jump in a defined space to build spatial awareness skills during class.

In a nutshell, spatial awareness is the understanding of objects (including your own body) in relationship to the surrounding space. For children, that starts with discovering hands and feet, grows to moving safely on a playground, and leads to judging distances while driving or solving math problems. It’s a huge skillset that affects so many critical aspects of positive whole-child development.

So how do you know if little ones are on or off-track with these skills?

FOL Fridays: Pre-ensemble Development

One day, your child may want to participate in a team sport or play in a band. Kindermusik will provide him or her with the unique opportunity to develop and practice the skills that are required to perform in an ensemble, skills like distinguishing between sounds, listening for the appropriate entrance, timing the participation, accomplishing the steady-beat play with an outside source, and playing with others.

Ideas for parents:

Even the youngest children can experience ensemble, whether it’s in Kindermusik Village or it’s just the two of you at home tapping on the pots and pans. You might even enjoy putting together a Family Jam, a time when the whole family grabs something to tap, shake, or jingle as you all play-along to a recording or a song you’re singing.

– Contributed by Theresa Case, whose Greenville, SC program, Kindermusik at Piano Central Studios, is proudly among the top 1% of Kindermusik programs worldwide.