daily routines Archives - Minds On Music

How to Keep the Daily Rhythms and Routines that Matter to Your Child

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Here in the States, summer is almost here, and with it often comes changes to our normal routines. As adults, we adapt to the break and look forward to a change of pace – a different kind of busy. But a change in routine can be very unsettling to young children who not only need the security and predictability of routines, but actually thrive physically, emotionally, and cognitively on those routines.

Whereas we as adults are driven by our clocks and calendars, the day is defined by routines for young children. Deviate too much from those routines and you can potentially end up dealing with fussiness, whining, or tantrums. The reality is that life is unpredictable at times, so teaching our kids how to adapt and be flexible is a valuable life skill. So how can we keep some consistency in those routines that are so necessary to small children?

Start and end your day the same way

Keeping your morning and evening routines makes what happens in between a little easier for your young child. Even the smallest things like the order in which you get ready in the morning or the way you always read together before bed will be very comforting.

Keep that favorite toy or book handy

Children find security in what’s familiar. It’s why some kids really latch on to a certain stuffed animal or blankie. So tuck that favorite toy or book in your bag when you’re on the go, and offer it to your child when you sense he’s needing a little distraction.

Lean into the changes

If you know that your summer is going to be different for the next several months, create some new routines – and then stick to them. What’s hardest for children is not knowing what’s happening next because the next day is always different.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]

Talk through what’s coming up

This is especially helpful for older toddlers, preschoolers, and big kids who are beginning to be old enough to understand and flex better with change. Surprises can be unsettling, so simply taking a few minutes to let them know what to expect will go a long way towards making day go much more smoothly for everyone.

Infuse your day with music

Sing your child’s favorite song as you load up in the car, turn on that beloved Kindermusik CD as you travel, or play that favorite lullaby playlist before bed. It’s all about finding ways to include the familiar even when there has to be a change in the normal routine. A simple thing like playing or singing some favorite songs can make all the difference in how the day goes.

Stay enrolled in some of your regular activities – like Kindermusik class!

Anchoring your week with a beloved and familiar outing goes a long way in your child being able to adjust better to other changes. Children mark time by their predictable activities – precisely the reason why Kindermusik educators regularly have parents share that their child wakes up asking, “Is today my Kindermusik day?”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Life is full of surprises, yes, and often the day’s activities are somewhat out of our control. But the goal with young children is to control what we can, keep whatever routines we can, and add in the touches of the favorite and familiar to give a sense of comfort and predictability wherever possible. And our best tip?? Music makes everything better – all day, any day, every day.

Shared by Theresa Case, whose favorite part of the week is when she’s enjoying her Kindermusik teaching routine in her award-winning Kindermusik program at Piano Central Studios in Greenville, South Carolina. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

4 Musical Ways to Help Keep Those New Year’s Resolutions

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Happy New Year from your friends at Kindermusik! We’re always looking for ways to incorporate music into daily life because, let’s face it – music makes everything better! Our last post talked about musical resolutions for 2017. In this post, we’ll explore four ways to use music to help keep some of the most common resolutions. We all have access to just about any piece of music, anytime and anywhere. Let’s take advantage of technology and make our lives more musical!

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1. Timing

Let’s go back to 1991 and a fun little movie called Hudson Hawk. The film starred Bruce Willis and Andie MacDowell. Willis played an adept cat burglar who uses standard songs like Swinging on a Star and Side by Side to time his heists. Now – please don’t think we are condoning breaking and entering or stealing iconic pieces of art, but using music to time aspects of your life to help keep you on track isn’t a bad idea.

So what can you time? Well – just about anything. And frankly, music will make anything go by faster. I know that listening to the first movement of Bach’s Cantata 140 – Wachet auf ruft uns die Stimme is roughly 30 minutes – how long I want to walk the dog (remember – I’m a choral conductor – I listen to A LOT of Bach!). Using Bach’s music to time my dog walking activities works very well. And I can change it up with other pieces or play lists that run for the amount of time I want to walk our ball of energy.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

2. Workouts

We touched on this in the last post – but I wanted to share a story. While in graduate school preparing for my master’s conducting recital, I’d go to the gym three times a week before the boys were awake. I’d take recordings and scores of the music on which I was working to be efficient with my time. Riding a stationary bike, I’d listen to my conducting rep, review the scores, and even practice my gestures.

Fast-forward to rehearsals…whenever I stood in front of the ensemble to rehearse my repertoire, my heart rate would increase and I’d sweat like a race horse! Listening and practicing my rep while working out had conditioned my body to respond to the music as if I was working out – even when I wasn’t! It was fascinating.

The right music during a workout can keep us focused and driven. The right playlist can form an arc that supports the arc of your physical exertion. Workoutmusic.com posted this informative chart that lists tempos which match various activity. Couple this info with songbm.com, a site that will tell you the bpm (beats per minute) if any song, and you can create a custom playlist for your activity.

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3. That New Hobby – Music!

I’ve known several people who have made resolutions to learn a musical instrument or take voice lessons. Do it! Buy a guitar! Get a keyboard or piano! How about a drum set? It is never too late to learn about music. Making music does so much good for the mind, body, and spirit at any age. If your kids happen to go to Kindermusik classes, learn the songs and sing with them in class and at home. You know they’re catchy.

Want to keep your brain young? Make music. Listen to music. Here’s some great advice from the folks at Johns Hopkins:

Jump-start your creativity.

Listen to what your kids or grandkids listen to, experts suggest. Often we continue to listen to the same songs and genre of music that we did during our teens and 20s, and we generally avoid listening to anything that’s not from that era.

New music challenges the brain in a way that old music doesn’t. It might not feel pleasurable at first, but that unfamiliarity forces the brain to struggle to understand the new sound.

Recall a memory from long ago.

Reach for familiar music, especially if it stems from the same time period that you are trying to recall. Listening to the Beatles might bring you back to the first moment you laid eyes on your spouse, for instance.

Listen to your body.

Pay attention to how you react to different forms of music, and pick the kind that works for you. What helps one person concentrate might be distracting to someone else, and what helps one person unwind might make another person jumpy.

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4. Gift Giving

Taking the time to remind how much those we care about with a gift always makes us feel good. Making a habit of gift giving keeps that feeling present and makes others smile as well! And the gifts don’t have to be extravagant – just thoughtful. Why not make it a musical gift? Find out what music your friend, family member, or co-worker likes and pick up a CD or send a digital album. Do you know them really well? How about picking something new for them to experience?

The act of simple gift giving, especially for no specific reason other than to let someone know you care, builds relationships and is actually good for our health. That good feeling? Turns out it’s mentally and physically beneficial. So – why not give music?[/vc_column_text][vc_separator][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Good luck with your resolutions! I’m keeping mine secret; we’ll see how I do. But rest assured, my year will be filled to the brim with music. I wouldn’t have it any other way. Kindermusik wishes you a happy and healthy 2017. May YOU experience lots of music as well![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

ABC English & Me Unit 3: Good Morning, Good Night!

Introducing Unit 3, Good Morning, Good Night! Everyday rituals become a musical, English-learning game with our new unit, Good Morning, Good Night! Each class begins with a hello song, and with each lesson children learn the words for new greeting rituals such as “Good Day!” and “Good Night!”

Daily rituals become a musical, English-learning game.

Good Morning, Good Night! will be available in Digital Teacher’s Guides next week (October 15 – 19).

Favorite American Children’s Songs such as “Wheels on the Bus” take us to school, and the “Mulberry Bush” helps to introduce and reinforce new vocabulary words and concepts with additional verses about a child’s daily routine at home.

“This is the way we wash our hands,” … “brush our teeth,” … “comb our hair,” … and “put on socks!”

In addition, children learn the English word and the animal sound to their favorite farm yard animals — sheep, cow, dog, rooster, and pig. And using movement games, concepts are explored with “Stand up!” “Sit down,” “Turn around,” and “Shake your hands!”

Children Learn English through Music and Rituals

Children can begin to speak English in a continuous flow using ABC English & Me’s simple songs and begin to apply English words to their everyday rituals at home, such as going to bed, washing faces, hands, and brushing teeth.

Make learning English a part of your daily routine with ABC English & Me!’s newest Unit, Good Morning, Good Night!

Using English @Home

When parents download the Home Audio Good Morning, Good Night! from the ABC English & Me @Home website, they can use the class songs about brushing teeth, getting dressed, and going to school to bring a rhythm and routine to busy mornings and evenings at home!

Speak in a continuous flow

Using the melody from the American song “Mulberry Bush,” children will sing “this is the way we wash our hands, wash our hands, wash our hands.” Additional verses adapt to describe more daily routines such as “brush our teeth,” “comb our hair,” and “put on jeans!”

Counting

Children play musical instruments, one for each hand, and as the teacher passes out the instruments, the children count with her, “1,” “2.” And during interactive puppet play, children help to “Wake Up!” puppet on the count of “1, 2, 3, … Wake Up!”

Movement concepts

Stand up, sit down, jump up, turn around, shake hands, tap your head, say good night, go to bed

Animals and animal sounds

cow, moo, sheep, baa, dog, woof, mouse, squeak, pig, oink, rooster, cock-a- doodle-doo

Talking about daily routines

go to school, wash our hands, wash our face, brush our teeth, comb our hair, put on our… clothes, shirt, jeans, socks, shoes

New vocabulary words

bus, wheels go round, people go up and down, driver says, “Move on back,” wipers go wash, horn goes beep, babies go “waa”, mommies go “shh”

Conversational terms

Where is he? Is he here? Yes, he is, No, he isn’t. He’s sleeping. Wake up. It’s time to get up. Good morning. How are you? I’m fine, thank you.

We are excited to bring this new curriculum to English Language Learners across the globe!

Visit the English Language Learning category or Subscribe to our blog for current news on ABC English & Me, ELL research, and Kindermusik programs around the world.