Music Makes Children Happy

The benefits of music for children are far-reaching. Research has proven that music has been found to enhance verbal skills and spatial-temporal reasoning. Children who are exposed to music at an early age are developing literacy skills that will propel them into their school years. It is for these reasons and countless others that we continue to provide meaningful musical enrichment for our youth today. While reading an article recently by Karen Wright, I came across an interesting point she made with regards to music and intelligence. "It does not make you smarter, but instead provides you with an ideal environment for thinking." With all the best intentions, dreams and aspirations we may have for our children, it is all but for one culminating event...one happy child.
Far beyond the academic benefits music gives to our children are the emotional benefits that bring out smiles time and again. Music therapy has been used for many years now as a highly effective treatment for depression and also for pain relief. This speaks highly to the many positive benefits music can play in our lives. We now know today that early intervention plays a primary role in developing a happy, healthy, and productive lifestyle. Every parent has a responsibility not only to provide the basic necessities of life, but also create a nurturing environment where a child can feel calm and content, safe and joyful.
Integrating music that children love to hear, whether it's a favorite song from a movie, a song they heard someone play for them, or a mother's tender lullaby, is a simple way to maintain a happy home. Kindermusik provides a wonderful website for families, whether you're enrolled in a class or not. Just go to http://play.kindermusik.com to browse a huge selection of children's music by category and age for download. When stress factors start to arise at home or even in the car, turn on your favorite song and see what happens. Smiles are contagious...go catch one!

Singing to Babies Builds Lasting Foundations

One of the most delightful things about singing to a classroom of babies in a Kindermusik class is watching the joyful expressions these young children exhibit again & again through music and movement activities. Parent involvement at home is one of the key components of the Kindermusik program. It doesn't matter if you are a wonderful singer, or even if you think you can't carry a tune, your baby loves the sound of your voice more than any other. Singing a silly song around the house by incorporating specific names and labels for what you are doing throughout your daily routine is a memorable, soothing, and fun activity for your baby. When learning is presented in a multi-sensory environment neural connections are made that actually help your baby to build balance, coordination & confidence. It's a win-win! A very young baby from birth to six months will often respond will full body movements and happy little wiggles. Babies at this age prefer the sound of a familiar voice and will look for that. A slightly older baby from 6 months to one year will be able to grasp a rattle to shake with the music and they will often clap. This movement should be encouraged and is very exciting for the infant to experience. By the age of one year hand-eye coordination is increased and a baby can have a full understanding of a drum or keyboard instrument and understand how to produce the sound. How exciting! In the Kindermusik Village class a blending of ages from newborn - 18 months lets children learn through following the examples of peers, taking on leadership roles, and maintaining an emotional balance with the ever-present support of a loving caregiver. These are all qualities we strive to teach our children at home and in school. Attending Kindermusik classes is a wonderful option for parents who are looking for an excellent musical foundation with benefits that will affect the total child.

Music Helps to Break the Rhythm of the Daily Grind

Many, if not all, parents are familiar with "the daily grind". Alarm clocks followed by pet spills, grumpy children, spilled orange juice, dishes, laundry, jobs, and WHERE ARE MY KEYS? Throw a baby into the mixture and it's easy to find yourself in the midst of what we know as "the daily grind." Children as well as adults often become frustrated by these daily tasks which surround our lives. Incorporating music into everyday activities can make these normally mundane tasks fun and exciting for any busy family. A major component of the Kindermusik Village class is incorporating routines and rituals into the rhythm of baby's days. A child who normally becomes fussy or challenging during a diaper change will quickly learn a new behavior when a favorite song, nursery rhyme, or simple game is introduced after every changing. Babies learn through repetition and are at a stage developmentally when constant comfort and reassurance is needed. By incorporating this repeating pattern with music and rhythmic patterns, a baby is comforted by knowing what to expect and look forward to at the end of the task. For a slightly older child an excellent way to incorporate music in the daily routine is to use songs which promote self-care. The Kindermusik Our Time Class is centered around the emerging toddler, a child who is experiencing great emotional turbulence and has a strong desire to do things "by myself!" Using songs and vocal plays that teach children how to brush their teeth, pick up toys, and get dressed by themselves give the young toddler a much needed boost of confidence. Still, older children can benefit from the use of music throughout the day. A simple example is making clean-up time, either in the kitchen or bath, by using a song about bubbles! All of a sudden, a task that was a "requirement" is now a joyful expression through music. Parents can find an excellent selection of songs to download and play at home or on the go at http:/play.kindermusik.com. Enjoy the music!

Babies in Jupiter and Palm Beach Love Music Time!

There are so many reasons for babies and moms to love music. Not only is music so incredibly fun, Kindermusik classes for babies and toddlers in Jupiter and Palm Beach provide a supportive community of parents and babies that share and care for one another. There is no other time in our lives when we need affirmation, education, support, and community more than as new parents. Parents strive to know if their child is developing "normally" and seek out affirmation for making "the right choices" when it comes to raising fragile young minds and eager bodies!
In the Kindermusik classroom, particularly the babies Village class, there is a multi-age atmosphere where little ones are changing more rapidly than at any other time in their development. Therefore, a wide range of choices are presented for each activity so that parents can creatively and successfully engage babies that are very young lap babies to babies that are walkers already. Through a variety of activities such as interactive dancing, instrument and vocal play, and multi-sensory learning activities, families experience the joy of music in a trusting atmosphere where children are nourished and parents are encouraged.
Classes are now enrolling for the Fall Session of Kindermusik Classes which will be held in Tequesta. Anyone interested should view http://www.kindermusik.com to learn more about the world's leading music and movement program for babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and big kids right here in Jupiter, Tequesta and Palm Beach.

Music To A Mother's Ears

Exposure to music at an early age can offer children emotional and educational benefits that can last a lifetime...and that is music to a mother's ears! When a baby is born the brain is in an unfinished state. The development that takes place during the first year of life is phenomenal. Research has proven that music plays a vital role in brain development. However, just exposing children to music isn't quite enough! As with anything, active participation must take place for the child to reap the benefits of music. In other words, it is not enough to simply play music for your baby. Young children respond to interactive behaviors. Because a very young child does not know how to play an instrument or sing, these behaviors must be learned. Many parents are quite uneasy about their own musical abilities and therefore do not engage their children actively in musical activities such as singing and instrument play. It is important to remember that a child's first love is their parent's voice. Babies are not yet aware of tonal imperfections or lack of ability to keep a steady beat. Babies are very much aware, on the other hand, of the amount of attention and engaging activity they receive from their parents and/or caretakers. In other words, put your fears aside and sing and play with your baby! Attending music classes, such as Kindermusik, provides a unique group environment in which all levels and abilities of musical talent are embraced and nurtured in a family-centered environment. It is important to remember that Kindermusik may not be churning out young Mozarts, but it is a program that trains the eye, ear and hand to work coordinately while celebrating the child's achievements in a non-stressful, supportive environment. Many people are worried that starting a music class with a baby may be a bit "too soon". I truly believe that music is an essential need that children must be given. Just because a baby cannot eat by himself or walk yet does not deny him the need to have food or to move around. It is the responsibility of the parent to provide these unique opportunites so that learning pathways can be properly established at an early age. Try a class today! You'll be glad you did and best of all, your child will thank you for it! More information can be found about Kindermusik at http://www.kindermusik.com.

Palm Beach Scholarship Winners Announced for Music Classes that Benefit Children

There are four local winners in this year's Ruth D. Anderson Children's Fund, a scholarship program through Kindermusik that provides a full year of home materials for music classes that benefit children who are physically or emotionally challenged, who are financially or educationally disadvantaged, who have physical disabilities, or who have lost a parent. In return of this generous contribution provided by the Childen's Fund, Kindermusik educators worldwide give of their time, talents and efforts to provide free tuition for these families in addition to the selection of the applicants through the approval process. This year's winners in the Ruth D. Anderson Scholarship from Palm Beach County are families that receive speech/behavioral and other therapies through the Florida Early Steps Program. These families will attend Kindermusik classes with Crystal Davis for their babies and toddlers at the Craig Wich Studio of Performing Arts in Tequesta, a non-profit organization which is dedicated to the professional study of musical arts. This year, over $43,000 will be distributed to families worldwide through the efforts of caring and dedicated Kindermusik educators. This amazing cooperation will allow over 500 children with unique needs to receive the proven developmental benefits from music classes for young children. Kindermusik with Crystal is now enrolling students ages newborn through seven years for the upcoming school year for classes that will begin August 24.

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.