They Say It Takes A Village

They say it takes a village to raise a child, and I couldn't agree more! The Kindermusik Village is a unique parent/child experience in which joyful participation of music is embraced through the special bond we share with our children the first year and a half of life. More than a class, it's a philosophy that is literally played out through age appropriate, child centered activities, excellent materials & encourages children to succeed in the process of learning through parental involvement & support.
In a Kindermusik Village class, parents can expect to be actively engaged in singing, chanting and reciting songs & nursery rhymes as well as vocal play. These types of activites encourage children to comprehend the beauty of the human voice and helps the vocal articulation associated with reciting & reading aloud. Direct eye contact between parent & child is encouraged because it has been found that adults who vocalize and smile frequently have babies who behave the same way.
Movement and intentional touch are components of the Kindermusik Village which are carried out rhythmically in group fashion. Research from the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami Medical School tell us that "baby massage provides astonishing emotional and developmental benefits for your little one. Touch is as important as sleeping and eating." Intentional touch has direct benefits such as improved circulation, stress reduction, development of positive relationships, & helps induce sleep. It is never too early to begin this activity with your baby. Movement provides children ways to learn about themselves in the world. In the Village environment, children are being moved through space while being held generally. Movement may take many forms. Positioning babies in a variety of different perspectives allows for development of the eyes and understanding of space and balance. Every time a baby's position is changed, new neural connections are being formed in the brain. Repeating these actions in a Village class strengthens those connections and learning takes place. Parents can expect synchronized movement activities with instrument play, group dances and circle games & most importantly expressive movement. It is through the use of expressive movement that a sense of total involvement & connectedness takes place.
A Kindermusik Village class also incorporates the use of literature as a way for parents to use the voice expressively. Rhythmic interaction with the book & baby is encouraged and vocal play is used frequently. Babies love repetition, so we'll be reading the same book for several weeks! Reading to children the same way each time creates a wonderful feeling of excitement and anticipation for them to enjoy again & again.