The benefits of early music

 

 

The benefits of early music Learning and performing music strengthens the synapses between brain cells, positively impacting the sensory and perceptual systems, cognitive abilities, fine and gross muscle action and coordination, the motivation or pleasure system, and learning memory. Group music activities encourage social awareness, and learning and remembering a song's nuances or memorizing a piece for performance engages memory. Music performs all of these tasks in an atmosphere of enjoyment, enthusiasm, creativity, and participation--the four essential elements for optimal early educational development. Good pitch discrimination has long been shown to help children learn to read, as it helps with the critical process of sounding out words. Researchers report that children taught with games and songs at the preschool level tend to test higher in reading all the way up to age 15, and that an IQ advantage of 10-20 points has frequently been observed. Studies have shown that playing an instrument as a child literally makes the brain grow, with certain neural regions expanding through frequent use just as muscles develop through exercise...The corpus callosum is significantly larger in musicians--particularly among those who began music studies before age seven. Listening to music, making music alone and with others, moving to rhythmic sounds, and ideally participating in early childhood music-instruction programs will help guide your child through all areas of development. Music as an activity engages nearly all sectors of the brain, positively impacting childhood development, cognitive abilities, and brain function. Excerpted from Healing at the Speed of Sound by Don Campbell (also of The Mozart Effect) and Alex Doman

Kindermusik@Home
Enjoy the Fun & Learning Anytime!

Posted on August 13, 2012 by Kindermusik International

We are excited to announce our new product, Kindermusik@Home.

Extend the magic and learning of a Kindermusik class into your own home. Kindermusik@Home delivers your favorite Kindermusik songs and activities, music, books, and lyrics—as well as recipes, learning games for kids, crafts, and more in a green-friendly digital format.

See for yourself…

Kids (and parents) can interact with videos, printable activity pages, stories, music, games and more! The digital home materials are built specifically to make it fun and easy for parents to connect class-time to home-time, and to enrich both experiences. Access from your iPad, tablet, laptop, computer, or smartphone – and enjoy at home, or on-the-go.
Learn how Kindermusik@Home digital products are the Green Future for Kindermusik and support our mission to be a sustainable company.

Sneak-Peek of Kindermusik@Home

Want to see what it’s all about? Check out one of our new online learning games for kids. This sneak-preview is a memory game you can play with your children – and share with others!

Educational Activities for Kids include:

• Music downloads: songs, rhymes, stories and sounds from class
• Literature book in e-book format, flip through pages, turn audio on or off
• Activity buttons lead to a variety of different activity types
  • dance and movement instructions
  • fingerplay demonstrations and instructions
  • together-in-the-kitchen activities
  • music time
  • listening games
  • vocal play activities
  • video field trips
  • find-it/count-it style activities
  • ideas for pretend play
  • and more!
• The Why It’s Good for Your Child area provides parents info on why these educational activities for kids are useful, important, or developmentally significant.
• Download Center provides Printable Activity Pages and, for the first time, Printable Lyrics Pages for all of the songs in the unit.

Ask your local Kindermusik educator if these digital options are available to you!

Time flies when you're having fun in Kindermusik!  I can't believe this summer session is almost over.  We've been having a great time with Creatures in My Backyard  and Peekaboo I  Love You games.  Between all of that Shoo Fly and Island Paradise dancing, Alye and I are completely tuckered out!  

But before we lock the door for our break, we are giving you a chance to try a Kindermusik class for just $10.00!  Thursday, August 16 at 10:00am you and your friends are invited to join us for a trial class (un-enrolled families only, please)!  If you love the class and want to continue this fall, I will apply your $10.00 to September's tuition.  All participants will receive an child friendly instrument and 10 free songs to download from play.kindermusik.com.  Sign up for the class on my facebook page! (click here)  Space is limited to the first 8 families, but I'd be happy to need a second Playdate.  See you in class!