NEW 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.

To amplify their presence and put it to the tune of fun, we created Superdad Soundwaves, on the free Kindermusik app. And we’ve got an activity you can pair with it below!

Superdad Soundwaves is the new dad album from Kindermusik

What the research says…

Studies show that fatherhood 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 one, a grownup-and-me class near you, or home visiting or teaching tools, we’ve got a solution for that.

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).

Continue reading “3 Musical Ways to Support Neurodivergent Learners”

How Music Teaches Kids to Self-Regulate

Kindermusik | How to Calm an Upset Child with Music

He’s so whiny. She’s a hitter. He cries non-stop. She can’t stop talking…if this sounds like your child(ren), they’re not wild—they need help learning how to self-regulate.

When grownups are overstimulated or don’t get their way, we (usually) use tools like taking a deep breath or a walk to make sure we don’t lose it. When we self-regulate, we balance our nervous systems. That helps us access our prefrontal cortex, where logic lives.

When it comes to self-regulation in children, they’ve got two things working against them:

1) They aren’t born with the tools to regulate their nervous systems, and

2) Their prefrontal cortex isn’t fully formed, so they need extra help to reach and dissect that logic.

Enter music!

Continue reading “How Music Teaches Kids to Self-Regulate”

5 Musical Ways to Manage Holiday Meltdowns

A mom uses gentle rocking to comfort her toddler during a meltdown.

Ah, the holidays—a time of rest, joyous family gatherings, and the harmonious sound of…meltdowns.

The reality is that this season often adds stress to families, especially for its youngest members.

Different schedules, new places, travel times, rich foods, family photos, and general overstimulation affect everything from mealtime to bedtime, which can contribute to not-so-merry meltdowns.

While grownups have the ability to command self-control faster, the brain’s pre-frontal cortex (where this function is typically associated) is not fully developed until adulthood. Additionally, relaxation is a learned behavior, which is why trying to reason with a toddler during a tantrum doesn’t usually work.

So, in the midst of holiday chaos, it’s important to gently teach children how to relax. Music and movement are some of the best tools out there to help little ones reset, recoup, and get ready for the next event.

Continue reading “5 Musical Ways to Manage Holiday Meltdowns”