Take Note Studio Blog

  It can take a little time... and that's okay! In Kindermusik, we intentionally build familiar routines and rituals into the class to help your child become comfortable and anticipate what comes next. For example, from the very first day, we will always begin and end class with the same two songs - the Hello Song and the Goodbye Song. This signals to your child that class is starting or ending. On average, children need four to six weeks to transition into a new class - even children who have been in Kindermusik before. For some children, it can take a little longer. We're all about the process and not performance here at Kindermusik, and so we just give them all the love, space, and understanding that they need! As time goes on, your child will learn the routine, become familiar with the songs, and look forward to seeing friends from class (and so will you!). Plus, once they become secure in the routines and rituals, the learning and enjoyment really take off! What you can do

  Why Stay Enrolled in Kindermusik? Is it all just for the fun of it? Well fun IS a big part of it, but there's lots more to your Kindermusik enrollment than just fun. Families tell us they stay enrolled year after year because... Kindermusik is music... and SO MUCH MORE! From birth to age seven under the caring guidance of your Kindermusik educator, your child grows and learns without pressure to perform, only encouragement to explore and discover. Kindermusik uses the power of music to develop the individual your child was born to be. Kindermusik is a great place to make (and keep!) great friends One of the sweetest things to see is the beautiful community that grows within a Kindermusik class, a community that blossoms into friendships not just among the children, but amongst the adults too! Kindermusik brings families closer together Life is busy, and family time together is a precious commodity. A Kindermusik class is truly the essence of "quality time," offering you

  Masterful Teaching: Crossing the Midline Activities What is the midline? Think of the midline as an imaginary line down the middle of our bodies from our heads to between our feet Crossing the midline is important because: When children cross the midline, they are using both sides of their brain to coordinate smooth, controlled, complex movement. ‌ It is important to combine movement patterns that cross the body for daily tasks such as reading, writing, and tying shoelaces. ‌ The ability to cross the midline is necessary for tasks that involve both hands, where they work together to do a job... or for playing the piano or violin, for example. ‌ From  Importance of Crossing the Midline "Crossing the midline plays a part in everything we do! Reading, writing, catching a ball, getting dressed, sitting cross-cross-applesauce, play, self-care...everything!" Level 1 criss-cross exercise: Cross right arm to left leg, left arm to right leg. ‌ Level 1 ball play: Have the babies sit

  Brain Development Sometimes in the fun of our weekly classes, it's easy to forget just how life-changing the benefits of music classes are for young children! One of the most significant benefits is in  how music and musical experiences impact brain development  - how the brain is wiring itself to ultimately forming the architecture of the adult brain. A staggering 90% of a child's brain develops by age 5.  Scientific research has underscored that it is the quality of a child's experiences in these early years that shapes how their brains develop and influences their ability to learn and succeed in school... and in life. "Between the ages of one and five, the brain goes through cycles of growth and streamlining, with experience playing a key role in engraving the circuits that will endure." ( TheirWorld Children's Charity article ) But it's not just future academic success that is affected.  The connections needed for many higher-level abilities like

                                                   Creating Community through Kindermusik As they grow, young children need to experience the nurturing, sense of belonging, and emotional and  social bonding that come with being part of a community. When children feel safe, they are more likely to observe, explore, and try new things—and are also better able to learn! The more people a child trusts and feels comfortable with, the more hours of the child’s day become "learning time." Community, connection, and a positive learning environment are exactly what your child is experiencing in Kindermusik, and it happens in all of our classes - from babies to big kids. It's a precious thing! Have a musical day!

  How Repetition Strengthens the Brai n Parents always cheer - silently and sometimes even out loud! - when we announce the start of new units, mainly because they're ready for something new. We get it!! But why is it that we don't have "new" every week in Kindermusik? Why do we incorporate so much repetition in our lessons? In early childhood, repetition forms the basis for learning, skill development, and accomplishment. Each of our brain cells can have 15,000 connections (or synapses) to other brain cells. So, how do we strengthen those neural pathways? By using them! Young children repeat the same thing over and over and over because they are strengthening the connections in their brain that are developing from that repeated experience. They also repeat what they love and what gives them joy. So when they ask to hear the same Kindermusik song for the 100th time, know that the repetition is helping to grow their brains! The Importance of Repetition* Repetition help