December Giveaway!

Kindermusik - Where Music and Learning Play

Share your favorite Kindermusik memory from outside of class for your chance to win a Kindermusik Prize Package – and a new iPad!

At Kindermusik, we believe parents are their child’s best teacher – so we provide fun ways to extend the learning outside of class through music, stories, activities, crafts, video field trips, and so much more.
This December, we invite you to share your favorite Kindermusik memory from outside of class for your chance to win a Kindermusik prize package – and entry into our December Grand Prize drawing to win an iPad!

To Enter: Simply fill out the form on our December Giveaway page.

We encourage family involvement in education and would love for you to share your favorite memory of your child singing along to a Kindermusik song, reading a favorite Kindermusik story, or playing along with one of their favorite Kindermusik@Home activities.
For ideas, check out this Kindermusik kid singing one of his favorite Kindermusik songs,
Elephants Have Wrinkles. How cute!!!

Musical Learning Inspiration for your Little One

We’ve all had them… one of THOSE days when we’re at our wit’s end and fresh out of ideas for something – anything! – to cheer up an unhappy baby or to engage a very busy little toddler. Or maybe it’s a really good day, and we just want to take advantage of the perfect opportunity for a little extra learning through music.
If you are a Kindermusik parent, look no further than your Kindermusik @Home Materials that not only complement our newest curricula, but also give you instant access to music, activities, and e-books – all carefully designed with you and your little one in mind.
And no, we’re not suggesting that you turn over your device or tablet to your small child; but rather, we’re encouraging you that some of the best activities for kids and some of the most delightful music on the planet is right there at your fingertips!
We invite you to take a quick (and free!) peek at just what we’re talking about…

From Cuddle & Bounce, our new Baby Music Class for 0s and 1s

4 (Non-Laundry) Uses for a Laundry Basket – Who knew?!
Crinkly, Furry, Bumpy, Strange – Learning by exploring textures of every day objects

From Sing & Play, our new Toddler Music Class for 1s and 2s

Play Ideas: Fill and Empty – Sure to keep your child occupied for hours!
Let’s Make a Doghouse – So much fun to do and then to enjoy

The secret is out…

These incredible resources that we call Kindermusik @Home Materials are really for the parents, just one of the ways that Kindermusik truly helps make great parenting just a little bit easier and a whole lot more musical.

Want to learn more about Kindermusik classes and Kindermusik @Home? Try a FREE class on us!

Kindermusik International knows and respects that each family gets to decide what’s best for them when it comes to the issue of screen time or the use of technology and young children. In creating our new digital tools and parenting resources, Kindermusik has read about and researched this topic thoroughly. We have aligned our stance with that of the highly respected NAEYC and the Fred Rogers Center for Early Learning, recognizing that children can benefit from a responsible and age-appropriate use of technology in combination with hands-on experiences and in partnership with an actively involved caregiver. We are proud to bring these high-quality educational materials to your family in hopes we can truly embody the very best of both worlds- a responsible introduction to technology AND lots of hands-on, movement-rich, in-your-lap, down-on-the-floor learning.

Using Kindermusik@Home to Make Parenting a Little Bit Easier

One of the fabulous benefits of your enrollment in Kindermusik is Kindermusik@Home – a whole new way to access and enjoy your Home Materials throughout the week. But how can Kindermusik@Home make parenting a little bit easier? Well, you might turn to Kindermusik@Home when you…

need a lullaby to calm your baby to sleep
are looking for a special way to connect with your child and sneak in a few giggles or cuddles
are desperate for a diversion in the long line at the grocery store or the waiting room at the doctor’s office
can’t remember the words to your child’s favorite song from class
can’t get out on a rainy day and an educational activity for kids like a video field trip or kid-friendly recipe might be just the thing
want to help your child get even more out of his or her weekly Kindermusik class
have a few minutes to really engage with your child and need some inspiration to make that time meaningful and fun
have a child begging you to read his favorite story from Kindermusik class and you’re not anywhere near the bookshelf at home (Gotta love these mobile apps for kids!)
want to play a developmentally appropriate, kid-friendly game together
are ready to download all of the great music from your Kindermusik class
need expert advice and a window of insight into the precious miracle that is your child
are looking for an easy way to begin expanding your child’s awareness and understanding of the world around her
need some great music and activity ideas to soothe or clam, play together, chase away the blues, or share some giggles
need all of this with you wherever you are – at home or on the go

Kindermusik@Home… It’s all in there!

And here’s your sneak peek:
Take a TOUR on your PC, your Mac, or your Tablet or Mobile Device
Try a FREE Kindermusik@Home Activity, “Stroll around Town“
Written by Theresa Case, whose Kindermusik program at Piano Central Studios in Greenville, SC, is proudly among the top 1% of Kindermusik programs worldwide.

Quiet Time – Good for Your Child's Brain Development

In our busy lives, it’s vital to find time to simply do nothing. This downtime is physically necessary for your child’s brain to process the learning that occurs during structured activities and interactions. Plus, helping your baby learn to relax will serve him well as he encounters the inevitable stresses of the world.

Inspiring relaxation and quiet times together

Your baby: Bring you baby into your lap and simply enjoy the time together. If he’s fussy, rub his belly in a heart-shaped motion, or gently squeeze his arms and legs in a “milking” motion.
Your toddler: Turn down the lights and play soft music. Allow your toddler to simply wander if he’s not ready to sit still. He’ll learn to relax by watching you.
Your preschooler: The urge to stay awake and learn is strong in preschoolers, and they often need help calming down. Play quiet games: Who can whisper the softest? Can you float like a feather? Or a cloud? Listen to soft, soothing music and then lie on the floor and do… blissfully, quietly, absolutely nothing.

Fun with Kindermusik@Home

Enjoy this special quiet-time activity from Kindermusik@Home called “Animals at Home,” compliments of Kindermusik International. This is just one of many activities that are part of your online Home Materials included with your enrollment in a Kindermusik class. We think you’ll really love how Kindermusik@Home inspires fun times, together time, happy times, and yes, quiet times through learning games, recipes, crafts, music, activities, downloads, and more.
Shared by Theresa Case, whose Kindermusik program at Piano Central Studios in Greenville, SC, is proudly among the top 1% of Kindermusik programs worldwide.

5 ways eBooks support early literacy and the environment for kids

At Kindermusik, we like to say that we are doing our life’s best work by creating and teaching early childhood curricula that instills a lifelong love of music and learning in children. Our life’s best work, however, also includes being mindful of our impact on the environment for kids. We strive to balance educationally sound curricula with business practices that support sustainability. Providing eBooks to families as part of enrollment in Kindermusik is one of the latest ways we can do both. eBooks support early literacy and the environment for kids. Here’s how:

5 ways eBooks support the environment and early literacy

eBooks encourage even reluctant readers to read more. Some children naturally gravitate towards reading and books, where other children need a little more encouragement. Research shows that eBooks can turn even reluctant readers into more eager readers.
eBooks are better for the environment for kids. Printed books result in the emission of almost four times the amount of greenhouse gases than e-readers.
With eBooks, reading together can happen wherever you and your child are—waiting at the doctor’s office, sitting on the beach, or snuggling on the couch. We know most parents—even librarians!—rarely carry a bag full of children’s books ready to pull out at a moment’s notice. However, most parents never leave home without their phone. Parents can access eBooks for kids at the touch of a button.
Printed books emit larger quantities of ozone-depleting substances and chemicals associated through their life cycles.
eBooks with rich visualizations, sounds and music appear to help early language and literacy skills, especially for young at-risk students.

Parents are a child’s first and most important teacher. Kindermusik gives parents the tools (and eBooks) needed to support that role. Our music classes for toddlers, babies, big kids, and families now include access to Kindermusik@Home. With Kindermusik@Home, parents can access favorite Kindermusik songs and activities, learning games for kids—and eBooks!—and more in a green-friendly digital format any time from any smart phone, iPad, tablet, laptop, or computer.

To learn more about enrolling in Kindermusik classes and receiving access to Kindermusik@Home, contact a local Kindermusik educator via our Class Locator.

Schools, preschools, and childcare centers can also benefit from Kindermusik@Home. To learn more about bringing our digital early learning curriculum into your classroom, email us at info@abcmusicandme.com.

Kids Crafts Inspired by Kindermusik@Home

What do a cardboard castle and a paper plate sun have in common? They’re both two of the many kids craft ideas conveniently found in Kindermusik@Home.

Crafts for Preschoolers

What’s great about the cardboard castle featured in Make Believe are the kid-friendly instructions. With just a little help from an adult, they are just perfect for preschoolers who thrive on a little independence and the joy of creative self-expression. The best parts are all the imaginative pretend play once the castle is complete, and the learning that happens best through active play and hands-on interaction.

Crafts for Toddlers

A simple but fun craft idea for toddlers is found in Kindermusik@Home, Up in the Sky. Hint: You might want to make two so that you can both sing and dance with your Paper Plate Sun. (Or turn on the recording of “Mr. Sun.”) The paper plate sun is one of several “sky crafts” that promote interactive learning while also inspiring together-time ideas.
As a unique benefit of your Kindermusik enrollment, your Home Materials, conveniently available when you log in to Kindermusik@Home, offer you and your child music and then some – engaging, delightful craft ideas being among the highlights.

Together time fueled by creativity and imagination…

…all inspired by the power of Kindermusik – in class and at home all week long.
Shared by Theresa Case, whose Kindermusik program at Piano Central Studios is among the top 1% of Kindermusik programs worldwide.

4 ways Kindermusik@Home protects the environment for kids

Long before Kermit the Frog sang, “It’s not easy being green,” Chief Seattle spoke about the importance of sustainability for kids. He said, “We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors. We borrow it from our children.” At Kindermusik, we take those words and our role as educators and protectors of the environment for kids seriously. It’s one of the reasons we introduced Kindermusik@Home in 2012. With these educational activities for kids, families participate in age-appropriate digital learning, such as reading eBooks, virtual fieldtrips, and music downloads, that connects the classroom with a family’s daily routines and rituals while also supporting Kindermusik International’s commitment to sustainability.

4 ways Kindermusik@Home helps protect the environment for kids

Kindermusik@Home eliminates the printing and shipping costs of traditional books, CDs, instruments, and packaging.
Virtual fieldtrips introduce children to new ideas, places, animals, and people without using carbon fuels to travel long distances or possibly disturbing fragile ecosystems. On a virtual fieldtrip, families may visit the studio of a drum maker in Chicago, go on a bird walk to see and hear birds from around the world, or even experience a carnival (without the long lines!).
Digital eBooks provide children and families with the same educational benefits of print books while saving nearly 5 million (and growing!) sheets of paper each year.
Parents discover creative ways to re-use items normally reserved for the recycle or trash bin to create instruments, parade crafts, a train, and more. These fun and practical ideas spark imaginations and turn “trash” into a beloved treasure.

To learn more about enrolling in a Kindermusik class and receiving access to Kindermusik@Home, contact a local educator and
Find a Kindermusik Class Near You.

Schools, preschools, and childcare centers can also benefit from Kindermusik@Home. To learn more about bringing our digital early learning curriculum into your classroom while also increasing parental involvement, email us at info@abcmusicandme.com

3 Advantages of Kindermusik@Home

You might have heard the exciting news – there’s something new at Kindermusik. But not only is there a brand-new curricula with fresh and delightful themes, there is also a whole new kind of home materials to complement those themes and extend the classroom experience in a whole new way.
Introducing… Kindermusik@Home!

Advantage #1: More educational activities for kids to enjoy

The new curricula introduce a new theme every four lessons, and with every new theme comes another set of learning activities and parenting resources, automatically delivered to you.

Advantage #2: With you wherever you (or your device!) are

As long as you have your phone, your tablet, or your computer, you have your Kindermusik@Home with all of the activities, resources, play ideas, and music at your fingertips.
Whether you’re at home, or on-the-go, you and your kids can enjoy fun and educational activities, any time or day of the week!

Advantage #3: Yours for always and forever

The longer you’re enrolled in Kindermusik, the larger your library of Kindermusik@Home learning games and educational activities for kids becomes. And that library will always be available to you, even if you are no longer enrolled in Kindermusik classes.
There’s no better gift you can give your child than Kindermusik, especially when it includes all of the advantages of Kindermusik@Home!
Shared 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 to Choose Kindermusik for Your Children

Early childhood is a wonderful window of opportunity for music learning. Music activities are not just fun – they are also a perfect way to help children learn and grow. But a program like Kindermusik offers much more than just a music class.

Backed by more than 30 years of experience, Kindermusik is a carefully planned curriculum that celebrates the importance of music and movement to the development of young children.

5 Reasons to Choose Kindermusik

Music stimulates learning, lowers stress, and advances memory, attention, and brain development.
Combining music with movement creates new learning pathways in the brain while enhancing motor skills and muscle development.
Kindermusik combines structure with flexibility to enable children of all temperaments to flourish. A quiet child is allowed to observe and absorb, while a highly active child’s energy can be funneled into a creative and positive experience.
Kindermusik includes a storytime in every class, encouraging early literacy development and skills such as listening, sequencing, empathy, and anticipation.
Gathering in a group to sing and play is a positive way to lower inhibitions, build self-esteem, and foster a sense of inclusion and belonging. Group learning also helps children develop social skills such as turn-taking and cooperation.

One of the basic premises of Kindermusik has always been that the parent is the first and best teacher, and that what happens throughout the week at home is just as important as what happens in the once-a-week class. Kindermusik promises to give you the time and the tools that help make parenting just a little bit easier. There’s never been a better time to be a Kindermusik parent than now when Kindermusik@Home puts educational activities for kids and resources for parents right at your fingertips, with you wherever you go.

A window of opportunity for your child – a world of opportunity for you both.

With your licensed educator in class and your online learning resources at home or on-the-go, Kindermusik is the best head start you can possibly give your child. The benefits of music for children are immense. And no matter when you begin your Kindermusik journey, you will find that Kindermusik will give you special moments and delightful memories that you’ll carry with you for the rest of your lives.

Try a free class on us today!

Compiled 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: How Repetition Strengthens the Brain

“Repetition continues to be important in the development of language and movement, as it is repeated experiences that reinforce the pathways of the brain. By two years of age, a toddler’s cerebral cortex contains well over a hundred trillion synapses, which is actually some fifty percent more synapses than she will keep as an adult. While new synapses form rapidly during this time frame, a ‘pruning’ process is also taking place. This process strengthens frequently used pathways, while deleting those that are not used. As pruning continues, it will allow your child to process thoughts and actions more quickly and efficiently” (zerotothree.org. 1998-2001)

Tips for parents:

You can incorporate more repetition in your child’s life in some fairly simple ways. One way is to set aside time each day for reading his or her favorite books together. You’ll probably read his favorites repeatedly! Another way to foster more repetition is to make full use of your Kindermusik home materials, enjoying the music and activities together regularly.

Try a few Kindermusik@Home activities for free today!

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