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Music & Movement Benefits: Reading with Babies

“You may have tangible wealth untold: caskets of jewels and coffers of gold. Richer than I you can never be… I had a mother read to me.” – Strickland Gillilan, The Reading Mother
Reading aloud to a child is the most powerful way to prepare her for success in reading. . In her book, Reading Magic, author Mem Fox explains that “…the more language a child experiences through books and conversation with others, the more advantaged socially, educationally, and in every way that child will be for the rest of his or her life.” That’s some pretty powerful motivation for reading aloud – plus you get the cuddles and the memories too!

Tips for reading with babies

Begin introducing books at about 4 months of age.
This is about the age when babies become interested in objects – like books! At first vinyl and cloth books will be best since babies learn by putting things in their mouths. Your little one will be ready for board books at about 6 months of age.
Have realistic expectations.
Even a few minutes in your lap engaged with a book should be considered a success! Don’t worry… As your child grows, so does their attention span. And when it comes to early reading experiences, it’s okay to let your child take the lead. At this age, it still counts as “reading” if they are opening/closing the book, stacking books, or even just looking at a few of the pictures on a page.
Establish a routine.
By around 1 year of age, you can establish a regular reading routine – after breakfast, before nap time, after bath time – whatever is best for your child. By now, your child may even have a favorite book that they like to read over, and over, and over…. and over again. That’s okay – repetition strengthens the brain!

BONUS! For more great ideas for reading with your baby, check out this free activity from Kindermusik @Home: “Reading” with Baby

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.

FOL Fridays: Becoming a Good Listener

Focusing on one sense at a time helps children strengthen their perception. Focusing on sound, for example, sharpens listening skills. Experts say that about two-thirds of everything learned is learned through listening. When children are given an opportunity to practice their listening skills, they also enhance their abilities to focus and pay attention, allowing them to understand and interpret more of what they hear.

Ideas for parents:

As you take a walk outdoors with your child, encourage your child to listen, identify, imitate, and discuss the different sounds you hear. Listen for the sound of birds, neighbors chatting, lawn mowers, vehicles, and more. You’ll have a lot of fun playing the “Listening Game,” and your child’s listening skills will be sharpened too!

Try a Free Kindermusik Class!

We engage kids in fun activities every week in Kindermusik music classes for kids – and focus on developing listening skills, cognitive skills, musical skills and more. Learning through music and movement is fun and effective, come check it out.

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

FOL Fridays: The Power of Imagination

Imaginative play in childhood prepares the child to think creatively in later adult settings.

Using the imagination helps a child develop the ability to think abstractly, to use language to describe things others cannot see, and to empathize with other people.

Comment below on ways your child loves to experience imaginative play!

Tips for parents:

Give your child plenty of time for unstructured, undistracted play every day. You can fuel your child’s imagination with music, good books, simple toys, or box for dressing up like a favorite princess or storybook hero. For fun, you might enjoy making one of these simple no-sew capes to inspire a little more imaginative play.

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

FOL Fridays: Pre-ensemble Development

One day, your child may want to participate in a team sport or play in a band. Kindermusik will provide him or her with the unique opportunity to develop and practice the skills that are required to perform in an ensemble, skills like distinguishing between sounds, listening for the appropriate entrance, timing the participation, accomplishing the steady-beat play with an outside source, and playing with others.

Ideas for parents:

Even the youngest children can experience ensemble, whether it’s in Kindermusik Village or it’s just the two of you at home tapping on the pots and pans. You might even enjoy putting together a Family Jam, a time when the whole family grabs something to tap, shake, or jingle as you all play-along to a recording or a song you’re singing.

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