benefits of music Archives - Page 6 of 8 - Minds On Music

5 musical learning activities that teach school readiness skills

Did you know that the benefits of music include preparing a child for school? When intentionally used as part of a pre-K curriculum or preschool curriculum, musical learning can positively impact the cognitive development in children and help children of all abilities be ready to learn at any age. Here are just five ways to use music when teaching children enrolled in a preschool or pre-K curriculum.

5 musical learning activities that support cognitive development in children

Circle dances teach cooperation. Ringing around the rosey gives children more than a pocketful of posies. Choreographed movements require children to cooperate, move in synch with a group, and listen to and follow oral instructions.
Identifying the specific sounds (or timbre) of different instruments teaches children auditory discrimination. The same sound discrimination used in recognizing the difference between the musical note “C” played on a clarinet verses the same note played on a piano by sound—not sight—helps children hear the minute differences between letter sounds or phonemes, which supports early literacy and language development.
Moving to the tempo of the music teaches children to be active listeners. When children respond to the changing tempo of a song—from fast to slow—or when children move slowly when they hear the music change from staccato to legato, they are using their body movements to practice active listening skills.
“Stop and Go” activities with music builds self-regulation skills. Children need to learn to tell their bodies what to do, when to stop, when to go, and when to move on to another activity. When playing a musical learning game of “Freeze Dance,” children learn and practice self-regulation skills by responding to the musical cues.
Finger plays, such as “Itsy-Bitsy Spider,” help children learn to coordinate hand, finger, and wrist movements that support fine motor control and precision. Those fine motor skills will help children hold a pencil correctly, use scissors, and even tie their own shoes.

Pre-K curriculum uses musical learning

Early Literacy gains with ABC Music & Me — Our school partners and students benefit from ABC Music & Me – see the research-proven results!

In our preschool curriculum, ABC Music & Me, teaching children includes singing, dancing, and instrument exploration. Throughout all the musical learning, teachers are laying the groundwork for school readiness. Plus, our preschool curriculum includes proven results, in spatial-temporal reasoning, self-control, and even a 32 percent gain in early literacy.

For more information about bringing our pre-k curriculum, preschool curriculum, or Head Start curriculum to your school, email us at info@abcmusicandme.com.

Early childhood teachers give kids the gift of gab

Yes. You read the title correctly. Early childhood teachers give kids the gift of gab. Research proves it! A team of researchers at UNC’s Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute recently published a compilation of studies that shows how early childhood educators positively impact the language development and communication abilities of infants and toddlers.

“When teachers ask children questions, respond to their vocalizations, and engage in other positive talk, children learn and use more words,” explained Kathleen Gallagher, co-investigator, in a press release.

Along with Nicole Gardner-Neblett, Gallagher created a resource with educational activities for kids that teachers can use to best impact language development. The free eBook, More than Baby Talk, includes 10 specific ways teachers of daycare curriculum can promote the early language development of infants and toddlers. Research-based ideas include engaging in conversations with children, reading books multiple times, using props, and (drum roll, please!) participating in early childhood music activities.

Using early childhood music to support language development

As creators of early childhood curriculum that uses music as the vehicle for early language and literacy development, we know that early childhood music classes are tied to improvements in young children’s early language development, increased vocabulary acquisition, and a greater phonological awareness. In fact, children who participated in our early childhood curriculum, ABC Music & Me, for just 30 minutes a week experienced a 32 percent literacy gain! We could go on and on about the benefits of music on a child’s brain development, social and emotional development, physical abilities, creativity, and more!

From the classroom teacher to the teacher at home

Of course, early childhood educators aren’t the only, well, early childhood educators. A parent is a child’s first and best teacher, especially during

the early years. These same strategies can work at home, too.

“We think parents could use these same practices with their young children,” said Gardner-Neblett in a press release. “By using these strategies at home, parents can provide children with the rich language exposure and opportunities they need to enhance their language and communication, helping them to achieve in preschool and beyond.”

At Kindermusik, we support a parent’s pivotal role as a teacher. It’s one of the reasons enrollment in our programs always includes materials and resources, including the music from class, that families can use together at home—or on the go.

For more information about bringing our childcare curriculum, daycare curriculum, or early childhood curriculum to your school, email us at info@abcmusicandme.com. Oh, and by the way, our early childhood curriculum intentionally uses all 10 of the practices recommended!

FOL Fridays: Listening

Focused listening activities are part of every Kindermusik class. Why is the skill of listening so important? Being able to focus on, listen carefully to, and distinguish sounds is an important skill in school, work, team play, and even friendship-building. Becoming a focused and

discriminating listener will help your child become a better, happier, more well-rounded learner.

IDEA: Plan a toy hunt! Hide a couple of toys, then instead of saying “You’re getting warmer” or “You’re getting cooler,” use your voice or an instrument. High sounds can mean the seeker is getting closer, while low sounds can indicate the seeker is getting farther away. Then it’s your turn—let your child hide the toys and guide you, the seeker, with high and low sounds.

Compiled by Theresa Case, M.Ed., who has an award-winning Kindermusik program at Piano Central Studios in beautiful Upstate South Carolina.

Listening to Music Makes You Smarter

If listening to music while you study makes you smarter, then there must be a powerful link between music and its effects on the brain.

And what better time to get started listening to music than at the very youngest ages, during those critical early years when the brain is developing the most rapidly.
That supposition is why Kindermusik places such an emphasis on exposing children to a rich, varied musical listening environment from birth. And it’s precisely why the Music Album you receive with each new music theme is so invaluable. Kindermusik makes it EASY for you to give your child many happy, enjoyable moments of listening to music of all genres.
As this article suggests, choosing the right kind of music matters – music with variety, complexity, range, and depth is most stimulating and beneficial. That’s exactly what you’ll find in your child’s Kindermusik music library. In fact, many Kindermusik parents secretly confess that they enjoy their child’s Kindermusik as much as their children do!
Here are a few tips for helping your child enjoy the benefits of music listening… and do your part to help him or her become a little smarter too:

Download your Home Album to your phone or MP3 device so that you can take your music with you wherever you go.
Create playlists of different kinds of Kindermusik songs – lullabies, dances, play-alongs, dances, quiet listening, etc.
Burn a CD for the car or CD player if you have one.
Make music listening a part of your every day routines – play music in the car, during play time at home, before naps, at bath time, and before bedtime.

Are you looking to enhance your child’s learning and development through early childhood education in music? Look no further than Kindermusik, the world’s leader in music and movement classes for young children.

Try a free Kindermusik class today and learn more about how music makes your child smarter, more well-rounded, and prepared for life… not to mention that they’ll LOVE the bonding and memories you’ll create together in Kindermusik!

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

3 benefits of music on early math skills

In early childhood education, the benefits of music include boosts to skills as varied as vocabulary development, gross-motor skills, empathy, phonemic awareness, active listening, and even early math development. Music and movement activities for three year olds (or toddlers or four,- five-, and older!) look like fun and games, but behind all the laughter and smiles is learning.
Consider these examples of the many benefits of music on children.

3 benefits of music on early math development

Spatial awareness. Children who participate in music classes show stronger spatial temporal reasoning skills than those without music instruction.
Counting by rote. Young children learn to count by rote—a memorizing process using routine and repetition. Learning to count by rote helps children develop foundational skills for math, including number vocabulary, memory, patterning, and sequence. Through music and movement activities, children encounter many opportunities to practice counting in a fun, engaging way. In an early childhood education classroom, musical learning examples include counting to three and jumping up during a circle dance or reciting the numbers as children receive (or put away) instruments, or tapping on a drum the beats.
Pattern recognition. The beats, rhythms, and melodies of music lead children to experience patterns through movement, listening, and playing instruments. Listening to music and then matching the steady beat through clapping or instrument play helps children recognize and translate a simple pattern.

Early childhood curriculum uses music to teach early math and language and literacy skills

The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) advocates for math learning in contexts that simultaneously supports other types of thinking and problem solving, such as music. Research continues to show the benefits of music on mathematics achievement.
Our early childhood curriculum, ABC Music & Me, uses music and movement to teach children early math skills, such as counting by rote, spatial awareness, and pattern recognition. Whether used as a preschool or daycare curriculum or even an after school curriculum, ABC Music & Me can also boost literacy and language skills, self-control, sharing, turn-taking, and other school readiness skills.

For more information about using ABC Music & Me as a preschool or daycare curriculum, email us at info@abcmusicandme.com.

Yes! Music education unlocks the door to success (and more!)

A recent article in the New York Times asked the question: Is music the key to success? Of course, at Kindermusik, we would answer a resounding: Yes! We wouldn’t be alone in that exclamation either.
The body of music education research continues to grow concerning how musical learning can increase social-emotional abilities, math skills, language development, inhibitory control, collaboration, empathy, creativity, cultural understanding, and so much more. Studies show music can decrease pain during medical procedures, lower blood pressure, and lift our overall spirits.

Getting personal about the benefits of music

However, the music education research only tells part of the story. Music is personal as much as it is social. Take the case of United States Congresswoman Gabby Giffords. A bullet to her brain left her in critical condition and unable to speak. However, through music therapy, she is learning how to speak again.

In the above television interview, Dr. Oliver Sacks, Professor of Neurology and Psychiatry at Columbia University sums up the benefits of music on language by explaining: “Nothing activates the brain so extensively as music to it to have been possible to create new language areas in the right hemisphere.”
The New York Times article provides more personal stories from individuals who credit the benefits of music to their success in other areas:

The television broadcaster Paula Zahn (cello) and the NBC chief White House correspondent Chuck Todd (French horn) both attended college on music scholarships.
Larry Page, a co-founder of Google, played saxophone in high school.
Steven Spielberg is a clarinetist and son of a pianist.
Condoleezza Rice trained to be a concert pianist.
Alan Greenspan, former chairman of the US Federal Reserve, was a professional clarinet and saxophone player.
The former World Bank president James D. Wolfensohn has played cello at Carnegie Hall.

(Source: WorldBank.org James Wolfensohn performs with Bank/IMF Choral Group at Christmas Concert, 2004)

Music provides balance, explains Mr. Wolfensohn in the New York Times article, who began cello lessons as an adult. “You aren’t trying to win any races or be the leader of this or the leader of that. You’re enjoying it because of the satisfaction and joy you get out of music, which is totally unrelated to your professional status.”
So, again, we answer the question, “Is music the key to success?” with a resounding, Yes…and so much more!

Come experience for yourself how music education can unlock the doors of success for your child. Find a local Kindermusik and try a free class!

Improving Socialization and Communication for Children with Autism

Sep. 11, 2013 — In a new study looking at toddlers and preschoolers with autism, researchers found that children with better motor skills were more adept at socializing and communicating.

This was the exciting headline in Science Daily just recently, giving fresh insight for those in early childhood special education. Researchers have now identified a clear link between autism and motor skill deficits. Expert Megan MacDonald specifically recommends taking the approach of early intervention by teaching motor skills.
“Even at this early age [14 to 49 months], we are already seeing motor skills mapping on to their social and communicative skills,” MacDonald said. “Motor skills are embedded in everything we do, and for too long they have been studied separately from social and communication skills in children with autism.”
As the world’s leader in music learning for young children, Kindermusik International has long been an advocate of the strong correlation between movement and learning. “You have to move to learn!”, our educators are fond of saying, as they encourage the parents and children not only to move, but to explore moving in different and creative ways.
“Movement is a universal, full-time, personal, childhood occupation, and its importance in children’s early learning experiences cannot be overemphasized…” (from Moving and Learning for the Young Child by William J. Stinson, Ed.)
The Kindermusik curricula reflect and embrace the different developmental stages of children, with appropriate motor skills explored, practiced, and enjoyed accordingly. Kindermusik believes strongly in the powerful combination of music and movement that is important for all children, but is especially potent for those with special needs – including autism. The benefits of music on children, especially during the early years, are immeasurable.
Read the full article from Science Daily here.

Improve your child’s motor skills and inspire them with a love of music with Kindermusik. Try a free class today!

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

FOL Fridays: Modeling

Children learn best by doing. Through modeling, a child has many opportunities to imitate steady beat and experiment with steady-beat playing. Practicing these emerging music skills within the context of meaningful and playful activities gives a child a rich and unparalleled learning experience.
Ideas for parents: Music is such a tremendous vehicle for learning of all kinds, but to enhance and inspire your child’s developing music skills, make it a goal to surround your child with music at home – during play, as he settles for nap, at bath time, and before bed. Whether you’re singing to him or you just keep the iPod or radio playing, your child will benefit tremendously and will likely be inspired to pick up and play along. Listening and responding to music exposes your child to the many wonderful benefits of music and a musical environment.

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

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.

5 Reasons Why Music Classes are Good for Babies' Brains

Every activity that your baby participates in contributes to his or her brain development, but the quality, variety, and nature of the activity shape the way neural circuits are designed. Every experience stimulates certain neural circuits and leaves others idle. Those that are consistently activated over time will be strengthened, while those that frequently left idle may be discarded. (adapted from zerotothree.org)

That’s why… The combination of a weekly Kindermusik class and utilizing the music and resources in your Kindermusik @Home Materials are so powerful. Repetition strengthens the brain!

“…[O]ver time, the brain reacts to routine stimulus by lowering levels of stimulation. Anything new causes the body to release adrenaline, and adrenaline acts a memory fixative. According to Arnold Scheibel, Director of the Brain Research Institute as UCLA, ‘Unfamiliar activities are the brain’s best friend.’” (from Smart Start!: Building Brain Power in the Early Years, by Pam Schiller)

That’s why… Kindermusik classes regularly include a mix of new and repeated activities.

Holding your little one in a variety of positions and moving him or her in different ways allows him/her to experience a variety of perspectives, which stimulates brain development.

That’s why… Your Kindermusik educator will give you lots of ideas for safe and enjoyable ways to move your baby, and your Kindermusik @Home Materials will give you a variety of music to move to at home.

Environments enriched with music and movement allow brain cells and neuropathways to be strengthened and expanded. With more interconnections, the brain learns and remembers more effectively.

That’s why… Kindermusik, with the way it so effectively combines music and movement, is such a powerful way to stimulate learning and brain development.

Your baby must be emotionally involved in an activity to learn. Incoming sensory stimulation is processed first through the brain’s non-rational, non-conscious limbic system, the seat of emotion, and only then goes to the neocortex, or rational brain.

That’s why… Your Kindermusik classes will give you lots of opportunities to connect and bond with your baby at deep and lasting emotional levels.

– Compiled and written by Theresa Case, who has an award-winning Kindermusik program at Piano Central Studios in Greenville, SC