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Vestibular Stimulation

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  Vestibular Stimulation Essentially our  vestibular sense helps us to ‘keep tabs’ on the position and motion of our heads .  Think of it as an internal GPS! ‌ However, our vestibular system is t he most connected sensory system in our body.  It works alongside our other sensory systems (including  the proprioceptive sense ), enabling us to use our eyes effectively and process sounds in our environment. Our vestibular system  has a HUGE impact on our physical, emotional and indeed learning skills.  It is the first sensory system to develop in the womb. After birth, our vestibular system is often  likened to the ‘brain’s traffic controller’ for all the sensory information it receives.  It sorts and relays incoming sensory information from other sensory organs and passes it onto to the various sensory regions of our brain. The Vestibular Sense is  crucial for a child’s development – helping them work rest and play.  A typically responsive vestibular system enables a child to feel s
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How Reading Literacy and Music Literacy Go Hand in Hand

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  How Reading Literacy and Music Literacy Go Hand in Hand When a child starts recognizing pictures in a book, it's a big deal because it shows they are beginning to understand that symbols—like words and pictures—stand for real things and ideas. This is the start of something really important.  As they learn more, their excitement grows because they realize that this is how they can express their thoughts and needs to the people around them.  When we talk about "literacy," it's not just about reading and writing. It's about being able to understand and use language in all its forms—whether that's speaking, reading, writing, or even listening.  Literate kids understand that sounds, letters, pictures, and ideas are all connected and meaningful. But what does all of this have to do with music? There's actually a very strong connection between learning to read and learning music.  When a child understands that letters and sounds work together to create
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It Can Take A Little Time

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  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
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Why Stay Enrolled in Kindermusik?

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  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
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Masterful Teaching: Crossing the Midline Activities

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  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
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The Impacts of Music on the Brain

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  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
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Belonging

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                                                   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!
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