From a former Kindermusik kid

The below paper was written by a junior high school student who has attended Kindermusik class at Kindermusik by Music Connections Foundation in Bloomington, IL. Thank you to Jonah for his thoughtful & insightful work, showcasing the benefits of the Kindermusik program and to Katie Henderson, Founder/Director of the Kindermusik by Music Connections Foundation for …

Spatial Skills Linked to Math Learning from Education Week

This morning, Education Week published an article affirming spatial skills as a key to math learning. Movement and “task” activities (cutting paper shapes, building blocks, coloring in lines, clapping, stomping, singing) not only improve a child’s discipline ability to write neatly, they improve his or her capacity for abstract reasoning. The article quotes Claire E. …

FOL Fridays: Becoming a Good Listener

Focusing on one sense at a time helps children strengthen their perception.  Focusing on sound, for example, sharpens listening skills.  Experts say that about two-thirds of everything learned is learned through listening.  When children are given an opportunity to practice their listening skills, they also enhance their abilities to focus and pay attention, allowing them …

What's the Rhythm of Spring?

Monday mornings are best begun with a poem. We think this E.E. Cummings poem, "in Just-" celebrates spring, children, and music in a refreshingly dissonant way. What do you think? in Just– E.E. Cummings in Just- spring when the world is mud- luscious the little lame balloonman whistles far and wee and eddieandbill come running …

What Does "350" Mean to You?

Bill McKibben’s new climate change movie, “Do the Math,” airs April 21st across the United States. We’ve always loved Bill McKibben for his scientific integrity – his ability inspire people through his careful articulation of the evolving data behind climate change. In a world where science has largely eroded from the pop culture “green movement,” …

Kindermusik@Home: Problems and solutions for parents and second language teachers in ABC English & Me

At Kindermusik, we believe that a parent is a child’s first and most important teacher. We also realize that second language teachers have a unique set of challenges in the classroom. Diversity. In one classroom, parents and children may speak several different languages. Digital divide. Some parents are comfortable with digital and tablet learning. Some …

Behind the music on Kindermusik recordings: Howard Levy

Musician Howard Levy has played with some of the world’s best musicians – from the innovative, future-forward stylings of banjoist Béla Fleck to Dolly Parton, Bobby McFerrin, as well as symphony orchestra musicians around the world with his Concerto for Diatonic Harmonica and Orchestra. Howard is also a featured musician on two Kindermusik recordings: “Riding …