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In Class and At Home: Pre-Ensemble Development

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  In Class and At Home: Pre-Ensemble Development One of the wonderful benefits of doing Kindermusik in the early years is that it gives your child the unique opportunity to develop and practice the skills that are required to be part of a musical group in the future. This pre-ensemble development happens very naturally and joyfully as we develop skills like distinguishing between sounds, listening for the appropriate entrance, timing the participation, accomplishing the steady-beat play with an outside source, and playing instruments with others. Try THIS at Home!  Even the youngest children can experience ensemble, whether it’s in Kindermusik class or it’s just the two of you at home tapping on the pots and pans. You might even enjoy putting together a Family Jam, a time when the whole family grabs something to tap, shake, or jingle as you all play-along to a recording or a song you’re singing. For another fun-to-do-together activity, check out this list of 27 homemade instruments you
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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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The Top 10 Benefits of Being Enrolled in Kindermusik

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Kindermusik classes - by intention - are full of so much PLAY! It can be easy to forget just how beneficial they truly are for your children.  So, we've compiled our top 10 list of the benefits of being enrolled in Kindermusik! Benefit #1:   Kindermusik gives your child that   unique head start   you’ve been looking for – musically, cognitively, and academically. Benefit#2:  Kindermusik inspires a  love of music  from an early age with songs, instruments, and activities that are just right for each age and every stage. Benefit #3:  Kindermusik enhances every area of  your child’s developmen t – we are so much more than just music! Benefit #4:  Kindermusik gives you the time and the tools to enjoy  quality time  with your child – in class and at home. Benefit #5:  The Kindermusik App let you take the  music, fun, and learning  with you all week long, wherever you go. Benefit #6:  Kindermusik classes provide a happy  social outlet  for your child and a valuable support network for y
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Confidence and Performance Anxiety

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     In just a few weeks our Instrument Artistry students, including our Studio Singers group, will have the opportunity to bless more than their own homes with their music and confidence at the TNS Holiday Recitals. However, we know that this can produce some anxiety. Here are some tips that our educators have compiled to start thinking about: Instead of talking about being nervous, think of it as being excited. The two have similar physical aspects: sweating, shaking, butterflies etc. if we say we’re nervous it can be associated with messing up or negative thoughts, but if we talk about how excited we are, we can have fun and be excited to perform. Performing as often as possible before the recital is helpful to get more comfortable playing for an audience. You'll find weak spots that were never an issue and will build confidence as friends and family compliment them and you'll get a sense of different emotions/experiences they felt before the big recital. Practice introducin
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5 Ways Kindermusik Teaches Kindness and Empathy

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     Over the years, countless friendships have been forged inside the walls of our Kindermusik classroom - between children and between their grown-ups!      The weekly classes and inclusive environment present 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 turn! Ensemble Play      This well-beloved activity is pres
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Staff Sharing: "The Music Advantage"

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Some members of our team have benefitted from a training on the book,  "The Music Advantage" by Dr. Anita Collins, and we  wanted to share with you some of the learning we've experienced!   Music has an incredible impact on the brain (more than anything else!) and significantly benefits children in essential ways. Check out this  video Children in any of the following categories are particularly impacted by the power of music: Ages 0-7 Involved in lessons for 2+ years Experiencing any learning differences (ADD, dyslexia, autism etc) YOU are offering such a necessary gift to your children through their music education. Keep it up! To learn more, watch Dr. Collins' Ted Talk  here  or read this book:
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Not Just For Your Child: How Kindermusik Makes Parenting Easier!

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We want to let you in on a little secret. Although most parents choose to enroll in Kindermusik for their child’s benefit, after a few classes, they begin to realize Kindermusik is for them, too. Kindermusik really can help make great parenting easier... and a whole lot more musical and play-filled!  Here are a few reasons why: You get a break. We know that being a parent means more than just, well, being a parent. It means being a nurse, short-order cook, maid, chauffeur, activities director, photographer, diaper changer (and other related pleasantries!), personal shopper, hair stylist, and all around person-in-charge… 24 hours a day; 7 days a week. But for one moment each week in class, you can relax and let us inspire and support YOU for a while. Child development insight. Each week in class your child will laugh, sing, dance, and play instruments while we equip you with the research behind the methods. Plus, you’ll learn more about your child’s learning style, how it looks in a cla
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