Play that Funky Music!

No -seriously, play it!

We all know that children learn by experiencing new things.  That's why they touch it, squeeze and scratch it, and then stick it in their mouths.  Sometimes they're afraid, but most of the time, they'll surprise you by honing in and identifying what is new in their already understood situation.

Playing cultural and various types of music is important for the development of Baby's brain.  By exposing them to new sounds and activities surrounding those sounds, you are allowing them to think more in depth about what they are experiencing by expanding the processing skills, as well as encouraging all of those other great FOL's we KM educators LOVE to rave about!  I'll give you an example!

Polka -as adults, we don't necessarily appreciate Polka music, but lets face it; that oom-pah-pah really gives Baby something to dance to!  The importance of this: bodily control and development of motor skills (gross and fine).  I could go on and on with the various types of music and all of the amazing benefits, but I think you get the picture!

Every time you turn on the radio, Baby listens.  Every time you hum, Baby listens.  So I challenge you, parents!  Play some new and exciting music for your Babies.  I promise you, they'll listen!

Musically yours,

Briana

The Art of ... Repetition

Each time I post, I find myself thinking about your exceptional children, and how Kindermusik's FOL's (Foundations of Learning) come into play in our lessons.  This week, the families will hear about the importance of repetition.  This kind of seems like a no-brainer, but sometimes, it is helpful to talk about those because, well... we often don't!

It is easy to see the physical results of repetition.  We see them learn to walk, learn to talk, and learn to color and then write.  Repetition physically is one of the most rewarding things we can experience as parents because it is proof that your little bundle of love is making progress.  Who doesn't want that, right?  There is a flip side to this, though, that is harder to think about because it is always hidden!

Flip: what's happening in your music maker's little brain.  It's a lot -a lot is going on up there that we don't even notice.  Chemically, the brain is making connections between brain cells through the synapses.  These little guys help build and strengthen baby's brain.  The more connections the better; they help stabalize the brain cells.  Traditionally, this stops when the are about 13 years of age, depending, of course, on genetics.

Every week, when we do our Hello, Hello! song and our goodbye song, we're using repetition to signal the beginning and ending of class.  Each week when we give them an instrument, we are using repition to strengthen their muscles, motor skills, and their brains.

On the really bright side, this is an exciting, safe, and happy experience for your baby as well as being exciting, safe, and happy for you!  It is truly amazing what 45 minutes of moving and shaking can do for everyone.  I know that I spend the rest of the day smiling!




Musically,

Conversing With a Baby

"Eh!" "Really?  Is that so?"  "Breeehh!"  "Well I'm not sure about that...."  "Huuh buh buh buh"  "Yes, well I know you would like to!"

Do you ever feel like you and your baby have nothing to talk about?  They give you a sound that really just seems to be a sound and you think, "huh...well what do I say to that?"  I always chuckle when I hear babies practicing their talking.  Sometimes they seem so incredibly proud of a new sound or our response to their sound that the awe they experience can be contagious! 

In my classroom, I always encourage parents to be as expressive as possible.  I'm sure they think that I'm maybe a little loony sometimes (my farm animal sounds are pretty amazing...), but it really does make the difference.  Within our expressions, speech, and gestures we are showing them how we (rather you -the parent) interacts with others.  One of my favorite Foundations of Learning focuses on exposing baby to their environment through dancing, singing, etc.  We are teaching them how to react, how to behave (somewhat) with in the unspoken rules of the social environment in which you live.

So I encourage you to talk and sing back.  Give your little one (or ones!) the opportunity to tell you what is on their mind, even if it requires a, "no -that's not your belly button!" or, "what does a doggy say?" and to sing and dance your way into life long learning.

Musically,

Busy B

Foundations of Learning, and Learning for Life!

I'm sure by now you know how FABULOUS I think Kindermusik is!  If you're not, that's alright -you will soon!  I think it's fabulous for a number of reasons, but one of the things that I appreciate the most is our Foundations of Learning or, most lovingly called "FOL's."  We use these to let you guys (parents!) know what you're helping your child(ren) learn, and surprisingly you will learn lots along the journey too.


In this last week's lesson, the FOL was: "Children learn at different rates.  If they don't catch on right away, it's okay!  They will learn through observing, practicing, and doing."  This, or course, piqued my interest.  Immediately, I had an example.  Kisses!  Babies LOVE to blow kisses (the understatement being, that they LOVE to receive them too).  But -they didn't just learn that on their own.  WE (or rather, YOU, as parents) taught them to do that.  This is the same for when you experience the "NO!" phase, or the "uh-oh!" phase.  They learned these things from us -cool!

The baby brain is such an amazing little tool.  It absorbs, it produces ideas, it implements ideas, and all of this while trying to figure out how to live in the human world.  So, if they don't catch on to the game/song/activity right away, it's okay!  Just enjoy the moment you have with your mover and shaker because before you know it...they'll be moving and shaking away faster than you think!


Musically yours~