Children are ready to learn long before going to school

Music is a magic little key to your child’s heart and mind. More than a song, it’s a sensory experience that evokes a powerful response in children.

Research shows us that early exposure to music is profound for a child's education. Music and movement that involves interaction, demonstration, and exploration is the perfect way to introduce a child to the learning environment. That’s why Kindermusik provides a unique opportunity to begin your child’s preparation for school – and, for that matter, for life.

Our program is carefully structured and developmentally appropriate, which means the music and activities in Kindermusik are just right for your child's specific age. We encourage all children to learn and participate at their own pace. You’ll hear Kindermusik educators say this all the time.

The Kindermusik classroom is set up in a manner that is similar to what your child will experience in preschool and/or kindergarten. However, don’t confuse Kindermusik with the potentially stressful environment you might find in a “toddler prep school.” Our program is not design to push children. Instead you’ll find that our curriculum nurtures each child’s development with a fun, engaging, and stimulating environment. Kindermusik may be your child's first classroom experience, or an addition to your preschool program.

We know that these days parents have dozens of activities to choose for their children. Kindermusik's goal is to stand out above the rest as the best option for you and your child. We feel that our research-based, research-proven program will not only prepare your child for school and the future, but you’ll get to have a lot of fun along the way!

Kindermusik Over the Mountain is currently accepting enrollments for Fall 2010 classes. Classes will be held in Hoover, Homewood and Vestavia. For more information, call Jill Vaughan, licensed Kindermusik educator, at (205) 413-4225, or visit www.KindermusikOTM.com.

http://www.kindermusikotm.com/

http://www.kindermusik.com/

Too hot to go out? Make an instrument!

Children love making things as much as they love music, so why not put the two together? Following are some ideas for making your own family band:

Guitar
Remove the lid or cut a hole in the lid of a shoe box. Stretch rubber bands across the box. If your little one really wants to jam, attach a ruler for the guitar arm.

Tambourine
Start with two heavy-duty paper plates. Facing each other, glue or staple the plates together. Punch holes around the outside of the plates and tie on jingle bells, metal washers, or whatever you can find.

Option two (safer for a younger toddler): Place your jingles on the inside of the plates before gluing together.

Shakers
Endless opportunities here! Start with a water bottle, paper plates as mentioned above, last year’s plastic Easter eggs, Tupperware, etc. What can you fill it with? Cheerios, dry beans, rice, etc. Let your child decide!

Drums
My favorite drums: Oatmeal canisters. Tupperware also works, along with hundreds of other empty canisters and containers. I was lucky enough to snag two huge cheese puff canisters from a camp this summer. Yes, they are still riding around in the trunk of my car, and the “bag boys” at Publix think I LOVE cheese puffs. I just couldn’t pass up a good drum or two!

Rain sticks
Cap the ends of paper towel tubes using paper and rubber bands. But first, fill with dry rice.

You’re not done yet!
Don’t forget to decorate your instruments. Stickers are always an easy choice when you don’t want to get out the markers, paint or glue. But who knows, maybe you’ll get fancy with yarn, ribbon, sequins, glitter and magazine pictures.

I’m not the craftiest person in the world, so write in your ideas. Or better yet, send me a picture! Above is a picture of some of my favorite preschoolers and their homemade instruments.

Happy Birthday Disneyland

Disneyland, Walt Disney's first theme park, opened on July 17, 1955 in former orange groves in Anaheim, California. According to the History Channel, Disney intended Disneyland to have “educational as well as amusement value and to entertain adults and their children.” Sounds like something near and dear to my heart … Kindermusik.

Just today I found myself at Costco talking to a stranger (yes, a mother with two preschoolers) about Kindermusik. You would think I could explain Kindermusik easily after 6 years of teaching. But, I still lack the words to tell her just how much fun it is, or how much my own children learned from Kindermusik, or how Kindermusik moms make friends who often make lunch dates following class and playdates on the weekends.

In fact, I’m guessing that those of you who have attended Kindermusik could best describe its benefits. So here are some highlights of the past year. The following quotes were taken from letters, emails and surveys I’ve received.

“… has learned so much, and the improvement in his abilities to listen, share, and follow directions is amazing. It has also really helped push his speech along. Plus, he just loves going to class!”

“Our Kindermusik songs have become lifesavers! We were having a very fussy time in the car this weekend and I started singing … just smiled so big and started bouncing and clapping! I have seen how she understands several new words just from the one week class. It truly helped me gain a new perspective on playtime. It is more fun to play and help her learn because of the new things we learned together in Kindermusik.”

“I have seen firsthand the way children grow and change during just one session of Kindermusik, particularly in the ‘Our Time’ age range. They learn so much more than an appreciation of music, such as how to share, how to follow directions, and certain fine and large motor skills.”

“This class gives us a time to learn things together in a really fun way. While he is learning the principles of music, I think we both have benefited from the time to learn how to interact and share especially with children younger than him.”

Infants can talk through sign language

Between the ages of 9 and 30 months, a baby’s desire to talk usually exceeds his ability to speak. Multiple research since the 1990s shows that infants can talk through sign language before they actually begin to speak.

Communication is not the only benefit to learning sign language with your baby. Sign language actually increases a baby’s ability to learn to speak as it provides intellectual stimulation. And, sign language greatly strengthens the bond between the baby and his parents as they teach signing.

So where do you begin?
Infants and toddlers will learn signs faster if they are first taught words that are meaningful to them. Pick a couple of words that you use frequently throughout the day. For example, your child may already know to wave to say “hello” or “goodbye.”

Teach the sign for “yes” and “no”
The sign for “yes” will make sense to children. The fist is closed with the thumb on the outside, then nods up and down, just like a nodding head. “No” is not quite as easy. The index and middle fingers tap the thumb (like a bird’s beak opens and closes).

Remember, your child’s signs may look slightly different. I often see children and parents who sign, using a variation of the proper American Sign Language sign. It’s serving the same purpose, so don't get caught up in perfection!

Learn through play
Just as in Kindermusik, children learn through play. Ask silly questions and sign “yes” or “no.” For example: Are you a kitty cat? Do you want to eat some mud? Do you live in a tree?

What is the baby in the green shirt (above) signing? Dad. Use the same motion, but touch your thumb to your chin to say "mom."

www.KindermusikOTM.com

Time to turn on that brain!

The area of the brain that deals with cognitive thought is activated through movement. It can literally turn on your child’s mind. For example, if you whirl in one direction while holding your child, then stop and whirl in the other direction, his or her neural pathways actually develop from the experience, stimulation, and interaction.

So here's a few tips for your baby, toddler, or preschooler to turn on the mind and ensure you're helping build those neural pathways.

Your Baby
Put on a favorite piece of music and pick up your baby. While holding him, place one foot in front of the other and rock from front to back, balancing most of your weight on one leg at a time. Swoop, swirl, and swing your baby high and low in response to the music.

Your Toddler
The world of a toddler is a very physical place, and your child will learn a new word more easily when you pair it with the action. So, for example, hop up in the air when you say “jump” or swing your arms side to side when you say “swing.” This will help reinforce the learning.

Your Preschooler
Preschoolers tend to be very creative. Encourage your preschooler’s creativity through dance. Play a song -- either by singing, banging on an instrument or household item, or on a CD -- and ask her to dance in a different way to each verse and chorus. You'll be amazed at what she comes up with, and the beautiful thing is she's stimulating the brain the whole time!

www.KindermusikOTM.com
www.Kindermusik.com
www.Kindermusik.com/mindsonmusic.com