Baby's First Instrument

The human voice is perhaps one of the most fascinating instruments around. With a background in piano performance, I have had to bear the burden of a tremendously heavy instrument that just does not travel well at all! How lucky we are to have a mobile, rechargeable, fully custom personalized instrument whenever we need it...the human voice! Aside from the convenience factor, what's even more amazing is that a child will sing often before his first words are ever formed. Music realized through the human voice is one of the purest forms of expression. Even in the womb, a growing child can recognize and find comfort in the sound of his mother's voice. As a newborn baby begins to grow & develop the vocal chords and lungs are constantly exercised by the baby's cries and coos.
As a Kindermusik educator, I often have people wonder about the appropriateness of putting a very young baby (say....under 6 months) into a music class. This is a common question I encounter & one that first-time parents will often question their own judgement on this matter. The answer is quite clear. Babies cannot walk at a young age, however that does not prevent them from the need to move around. How do they do this? We help them! Babies cannot feed themselves at a young age, however that certainly does not eliminate the need to feed them. Once again, we must help them reach all their needs. Developmental milestones are facilitated through the Kindermusik method, and as parents we must help these babies fine tune their inner rhythms.
One final point, and one that should definitely not be overlooked, is that young children find so much joy through music. Their ability to find a beat pattern through natural rocking movements and first large muscle movements proves the appropriateness and readiness of young children for the music classroom. Babies, even at a very early age (under 6 months) build confidence in their own abilities with the support of a loving family member and a friendly, supportive group of peers. All of these factors speak clearly as to the obvious benefits of an early childhood music program...and the many smiles I see in class everyday are the living proof!