Minds On Music – The Kindermusik Blog
For three generations, Kindermusik has helped millions of children around the world build a strong foundation for a lifetime of learning.
Social-emotional learning is a critical piece to positive early childhood development, and we know that music can accelerate this growth.
But how can educators and families consistently use music to boost social-emotional skills in different learning environments?
Continue reading “3 Ways Music Boosts Social-Emotional Learning in ANY Environment”
Have you ever wondered why a child will ask you to read the same book over and over or perhaps never tires of
rolling the ball back and forth? A newly published study may shed some light on this learning technique of young children. Nicknamed the "Goldilocks effect", the study examines the attention span of infants in relation to the complexity of the world around them. The results showed that infants focus only on situations that are neither too difficult nor too easy.
"The study suggests that babies are not only attracted by what is happening, but they are
able to predict what happens next based on what they have already observed," says Kidd, lead author on the report. "They are not passive sponges. They are active information seekers looking for the best information they can find." Children who are engaged in a sensory rich learning experience are best equipped to receive and retain new information. The repetition of a fun activity likely yields new information each time for your child and provides an opportunity for them to test their predictions based on their latest observations. "Parents don’t need to buy fancy toys to help their children learn. They make the best use of their environment. They are going to look around for what fits their attention level. Kids learn best from social interaction," reminds Kidd.
I hope your family can enjoy some fun, social interaction in a Kindermusik class this summer! Click here for a free preview coupon.
This article is from Miss Aimee, of Delightful Sounds, a Kindermusik Studio in Brandon, Florida. Miss Aimee is named a Maestro in Outreach by Kindermusik International, recognizing her considerable efforts each year to reach underserved populations of children in her community.
As children grow, they must learn to play with others, not just for sake of “getting along” but also because being able to interact with peers is an important part of becoming a successful learner. Sharing and taking turns are difficult lessons to master, but as children spend more time playing together, they begin to recognize each other’s feelings and advance from parallel play (playing along side other children) to cooperative play (playing with other children).
IDEA: Use your Kindermusik songs and activities from class to inspire some parent-child play at home. You can also encourage your child’s play by providing simple and developmentally appropriate play materials. Organize the items into labeled bins and place in easy reach on shelves or in the closet.
– Compiled by Theresa Case, M.Ed. Theresa’s Kindermusik program at Piano Central Studios in Greenville, South Carolina, is proudly among the top 1% of Kindermusik programs worldwide.