Take Note Studio Blog

Benefits of Kindermusik: Early Exposure to a Variety of Music The child’s early years are the very best years for exposure to a rich variety of music—instruments, timbres, tonalities, tempi, rhythms, etc. Hearing a rich variety of music helps your child become more aware, alert, and sensitive—not only to music but to their total environment. Through research we know that children absorb things around them—including music, beginning at the moment of birth. By filling the spaces of your child’s day with music, passive and active, you are teaching them the many roles that music can play. Music can help us relax, cope with our feelings, celebrate, create, and express ourselves beyond our verbal capabilities. By providing a stimulating music environment and keeping your child enrolled in Kindermusik, you are nurturing your child’s natural capacity for learning to love music and make music. Learning to enjoy and listen to music not only helps develop music appreciation but also benefits othe...

  "Is it my turn yet?" A question going through the mind of every child that is learning the importance of sharing and turn taking. Waiting for our turn can seem to take an eternity but for the child holding the object of the other child's desire; it seems like time passed a little too quickly. How can we help our little ones navigate this crucial part of social development?  The first step is to keep our expectations age appropriate.  We can't expect more than they are developmentally ready for.  With our infants and younger toddlers/early preschoolers we are still engaged in parallel play so turn taking/sharing does not always happen naturally. You can encourage children of this age to work on those skills with activities such as rolling a ball to each other or completing a puzzle together. From 0-3 we are introducing and modeling but not expecting them to master the skill. Our older preschoolers move out of parallel play and into interacting with their peers, so t...

Softly, softly …If you are or have been part of a Kindermusik class, these words are burned into your brain like a core memory.  They signal that it is that time in class when we rest and reset; but is that all it is? Just another “activity” in the lesson? Why is it so important that we add it to every class? Resting is a crucial part of development. It is a key component in our brain development, emotional regulation, physical health, concentration and focus, and immune system function. It brings calm and composure and the ability to self-regulate. When we are deprived of rest it negatively effects us and causes behavioral issues, learning difficulties, mood swings, and reduced physical performance.  Yet, it isn’t something that comes easily for many. The ability to rest is not a skill we are born with, just like walking and talking, it has to be learned and then practiced. You can help your child practice in a few simple steps. Create a space that is just for this quiet...

  Savoring Each Level of Kindermusik From Foundations all the way up to Level 5, your Kindermusik experience is packed full of unforgettable adventures and exciting activities that foster your child’s development and musical understanding. Every level of Kindermusik brings with it a whole new array of instruments, stories, songs, activities, growth, concepts, and learning, but we’re still very much all about settling in and enjoying each level. No rushing through childhood when it comes to Kindermusik! We all lead busy lives, but you wouldn’t be in Kindermusik if you didn’t want to slow down, make some memories, and really enjoy these precious early years with your child. And so, here are a few of our favorite ways to savor each stage of Kindermusik. One of the main ways you can enjoy and linger in each stage of Kindermusik is to  be completely present and actively engaged  - in class and at home. Whether it’s by dancing and playing with your child in class, or by enjoyin...

  5 Ways Kindermusik Teaches Empathy and Kindness Over the years, countless friendships have been forged inside the walls of our Kindermusik classroom - amongst the children and amongst the grown-ups! The warm, supportive environment in your weekly Kindermusik classes presents many gentle, loving opportunities for your child to learn to get along and show empathy -- all while creating meaningful relationships with others. Sharing From Level 1 of Kindermusik all the way up to Level 5, sharing is an important part of demonstrating cooperation and selflessness. As new instruments are passed out or two kids share a scarf for a partner activity, your child gets to practice the valuable skills of sharing and working together. Taking turns Whether it’s waiting for the teacher to pass out scarves or waiting to pass the ball in a circle activity, taking turns helps your child learn patience. Your child also practices being empathetic because their friends in class are also waiting for their...

  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 ...