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4 reasons why music therapists love Kindermusik

why_music_quotes13American writer Sarah Dessen is not a Kindermusik teacher nor does she specialize in early childhood special education. However, she seems to understand how music can reach individuals of all

abilities. She wrote: “Music is the great uniter, an incredible force, something that people who differ on everything and anything else can have in common.”

In Kindermusik, we say it this way: “Everyone speaks music.” In the classroom, Kindermusik educators celebrate the individuality and contributions of each child. It’s no wonder music therapists love recommending Kindermusik and teaching Kindermusik. With our similar child-centered philosophies, music therapists are discovering Kindermusik offers opportunities for both their practice and their clients.

4 reasons why music therapists love using Kindermusik as part of a special education curriculum

  1. The Kindermusik curriculum naturally integrates typically developing children and children with special needs into one welcoming and loving environment.
  2. Kindermusik classes support the work done in individual music therapy sessions. Music therapists and families appreciate how Kindermusik takes many of the concepts children with special needs work on in occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech and puts it into a group learning environment.
  3. Music therapists understand firsthand the benefits of music on children, including cognitive stimulation, self-expression, self-awareness, and increased motor movements.
  4. Music therapists can use their music therapy skills to reach more children and to expand their income potential.

Teaching children as a Kindermusik educator

“Being able to integrate typically developing children and special needs kids was just a dream come true,” explains Julie Wade, music therapist and Kindermusik educator. “The Kindermusik curriculum enables you to do just that in a positive therapeutic environment.”

Listen to what else Julie loves about being both a music therapist and Kindermusik educator. Plus, hear from her students, too!

 

Learn more about becoming a Kindermusik educator!

 

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4 new research-proven benefits of music on children

why_music_quotes14An elementary school teacher wrote: “The education of a child involves three major components: teacher, student, parents.” We absolutely agree that parent involvement in early childhood education in collaboration with classroom teachers best equips children for a successful learning environment at school and in the home.  Music can help build connections between the teacher, student, and parents.
The benefits of music on children and family involvement in education continue to gain the interest of researchers. Two new studies show that making music together in school may improve young children’s behavior and make them like school better, too.

3 benefits of music on children and their social skills

In the first study, four-year-old children were placed in either a “music group” or a “no music group.” The 24 children in the music group played percussion instruments and sang, whereas the other children listened to a story.  After participating in the groups, all the children played games that measured cooperation, helping skills, and problem-solving abilities.

  1. Children in the music group were 30 times more likely to help than those in the other group.
  2. Making music was also shown to improve cooperation among all the children in the ‘music group’ who were six times more likely to cooperate than those in the reading group.
  3. Boys in the music group were four times more likely to problem solve.

Researcher Rie Davies said in a press release: “This study…highlights the needKindermusikClass_SocialEmotionalDevelopment for schools and parents to understand the important role music making has in children’s lives in terms of social bonding and helping behaviors. Music making in class, particularly singing, may encourage pupils with learning differences and emotional difficulties to feel less alienated in the school environment.”

One more of the benefits of music on children

In a separate study looking at the benefits of music on children, researchers from Finland found that children participating in extended music classes liked school better. Nearly 1,000 students participated in the study, which included taking a survey in Year 3 and Year 6 that measured the quality of school life.
“Singing in a choir and ensemble performance are popular activities at extended music classes. Other studies have established that people find it very satisfying to synchronize with one another. That increases affiliation within the group and may even make people like each other more than before. Other subjects in the school do not have as intensive training in synchrony and coordination as music lessons, which could explain part of the phenomenon,” explained the principal investigator of the study, Doctoral Student Päivi-Sisko Eerola, in a press release.

Music and family involvement in education

ABC Music & Me is our research-based early childhood curriculum that includes 30-minute classroom lessons with materials and resources that encourages parental involvement in early childhood education. Whether used as a daycare curriculum, early literacy curriculum, or even as an after school curriculum, the benefits of music on children includes early language development, vocabulary acquisition, strengthened fine- and gross-motor skills, and as the research shows cultivates sharing and boosts school satisfaction.

For more information about using ABC Music & Me in your school, preschool, or daycare to boost early literacy and language skills and increase parent involvement in education, email us at info@abcmusicandme.com.