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.
The textbook definition of social-emotional development “…includes the child’s experience, expression, and management of emotions and the ability to establish positive and rewarding relationships with others (Cohen and others 2005). At its heart, social development for children is about connections and understanding and expressing emotions.
Continue reading “5 Big Benefits: The Social Learning Domain and Kindermusik”
In this educator spotlight, we visit with veteran Kindermusik educator, Buffie Dumas. She has been teaching Kindermusik since 2000, the same year she first opened her Kindermusik studio business, Kindermusik with Miss Buffie, in Auborn Hills, Michigan. Lovingly called Miss Buffie, Miss “Buppie”, and even “Miss Puppy” (her personal favorite!), Buffie is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of children and families – so much so that one of her Kindermusik colleagues nominated her to be spotlighted on our Minds on Music blog! Buffie is a special person and when you read her interview, we think we’ll see why she has captured the hearts of minds of the children and families she touches every week in her Kindermusik classes. In fact, ask them and they’ll tell you that she is their real-life Mary Poppins!
For this Educator Spotlight, we look to our friends in Malaysia. One of the pioneers to introduce early childhood music in Malaysia, Yeoh Sheau long and her sister, Yeoh Sheau in, first brought Kindermusik to Malaysia in 1994. Kindermusik at SIM grew from two students in Yeoh Sheau in’s inaugural class to a program that today has 15 licensed educators teaching over 50 Kindermusik classes at 12 locations. Our interview today is with Yeoh Sheau long, lovingly know as Mrs. Teoh to her Kindermusik classes and described by her families as warm and cheerful, “like Cinderella’s fairy godmother.” It’s no wonder that Kindermusik International has recognized Kindermusik at SIM as a top program since 2003. We’re not sure how Yeoh Sheau long has time for her hobbies of reading, watching movies, and traveling, but we do know that you’re going to love getting to know this dynamic educator who has a heart of gold.
Remember this viral video? A mom sings a sad love song to her 10-month baby, and the baby’s eyes well up. Why would singing to your child spark such an emotional reaction.
In her article featuring this viral video, psychologist Siu-Lan Tan theorizes that it has to do with the emotional contagion that causes human begins to “absorb and reflect the intense emotions of those around them.” Continue reading “Why Singing to Your Child Every Day Is Vital”
The Keeping Quilt is the heartwarming biography of four generations of the author’s own immigrant Jewish family and the unique quilt that wraps all of the generations together.
Continue reading “Book Review: The Keeping Quilt by Patricia Polaco”
With all of the hype and focus on Valentine’s Day, Groundhog Day is often overlooked — except by the weatherman and the groundhog, of course. As we all know, the big deal on Groundhog Day is whether or not the groundhog sees his shadow, and if we have hope for an early spring or if we’re in for a longer winter.
Continue reading “Groundhog Day Fun: Make Your Own Shadow Puppets”
If you’re looking for some simple and enjoyable Valentine’s crafts, look no further. We’ve pulled together a few of our top favorites to share here with you so you could check off the Valentine’s needed for teacher, Grandma, Uncle Joe, and more, and best of all, so you could sprinkle in a little extra love, giggles, and special memories of time together around the very holiday meant to be a time to express our love in special ways.
Continue reading “Fun and Favorite Valentine’s Crafts Just for Young Children”
Kindermusik programs worldwide are celebrating “We Love Kindermusik” month, and we thought it would be enormously appropriate to share just why we love our Kindermusik educators. Normally we have a regular monthly feature highlighting one of our very special educators. This month we want to highlight them ALL!
Our Kindermusik educators are truly the heart and soul of everything that Kindermusik is and everything that Kindermusik means to children and families all around the globe. Here are just a few of the many reasons why we adore and appreciate our Kindermusik educators so much.
For this beak review, we take a look at Sometimes I Like to Curl Up in a Ball, written by Vicki Churchill and illustrated by Charles Fugue, the book. This book is one of those golden oldies, the kind of well-worn, much-loved book that stays on the shelf or in the basket of books for a long, long time.
Continue reading “Book Review: Sometimes I Like to Curl Up in a Ball“
One of the great things about musical activities is that they make really great indoor activities. When it’s too hot or too cold to be outside, you can make musical fun indoors with a little creativity, a little inspiration, and these five simple ideas.
Continue reading “5 Simple, Easy Ways to Enjoy Musical Fun Indoors”