Minds On Music – The Kindermusik Blog
For three generations, Kindermusik has helped millions of children around the world build a strong foundation for a lifetime of learning.
Deanna Hanson-Abromeit, assistant professor of music education and music therapy at the University of Kansas, is doing some significant work in learning how music helps premature infants not just survive, but thrive, according to this recent article from the Kansas Health Institute. Dr. Joanne Loewy, director of the music therapy department of Mount Sinai Beth …
Continue reading “New Research: Music Therapy Benefits Babies”
Ever wonder what happens when a group of teachers gather together for Kindermusik training? Well, we sing, laugh, play instruments, dance with scarves on our heads, and learn through (and about!) music. In fact, it looks a lot like a Kindermusik class without little kids. This past July a group of educators gathered at Yimbore …
Continue reading “Kindermusik Unites Educators in Costa Rica”
Do you ever wonder what newborns would say if they could talk? Where am I? What just happened? Who turned on the lights? Whew, that was a lot of work! I’m exhausted. Why is everyone staring at me? Do I have something on my face? Mom! Dad! It’s me! Truth is—most newborns all say the …
Continue reading “How to Teach Babies Language Skills Before They Can Talk”
Young children (and parents of young children) instantly recognize the “Happy” song by Pharrell Williams. We feel happy and can’t help but “clap along.” We love this version: [youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJ4diEohODE[/youtube] You clapped along, too, didn’t you? It’s easy for adults to acknowledge the “feeling” of happy in the song. However, young children must learn to identify …
Continue reading “Singing when you’re happy (and you know it!) builds kids’ social-emotional skills”
With Kindermusik classes in more than 70 countries, we receive stories from parents and teachers from all over the world. While each story is unique, music—and the power of learning through music—connects them all. Take the story of children attending Kindermusik at Learn & Play in Beirut, Lebanon, for example. Last year this pioneer nursery …
Continue reading “Bringing musical learning to children in Beirut”
Research shows there’s a strong correlation between early handwriting skills and better grades in school. Musical play—specifically fingerplays and instrument manipulation—is an engaging way to build those hand muscles and pincer grasps necessary for good penmanship.
Pediatricians will often recommend music classes for children with language delays. Speech therapists regularly incorporate music and rhymes in their therapy sessions with young children. Researchers have identified talking and singing with a small child as one of the most effective tools for closing the word gap with under-served populations. Here are six music activities …
Continue reading “Early Language Development Flourishes through Music”
Hang around babies long enough and you start hearing things. From soft sweet coos to long monologues of “dadadadadada,” babies talk a lot—even though we have no idea what they are really saying! That’s okay. We don’t need to understand all the words (or non-words!) to join in the conversation. How Parents Respond to All …
Continue reading “Answer that Baby Babble to Speed Up Language Development”
What better way to celebrate Universal Music Day than with some homemade DIY instrument crafts that don’t cost a lot of money, but will mean lots of together time, happy smiles, special memories, and joyful music-making! Instrument crafts are the perfect way to get young children engaged in hands-on learning, exploring their creative side, and …
A recent article in the Washington Post highlighted a growing concern for parents and educators: more and more kids are having trouble sitting still in school. The root of the problem is that kids are being expected to sit still for longer periods of time. Recesses are shorter, and often kids aren’t running, jumping, and …
Continue reading “Get the wiggles out and keep the learning in”